Freedom's Ring PodcastChurch State Council BlogCurrent IssuesCalendar of EventsSpeaker's Bureau
LEGAL SERVICES

Our expertise is where religion and law intersect. We can help with a wide variety of conflicts, such as:

  • Religious Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace
  • Discrimination and Accommodation Issues in Education
  • Land Use Conflicts Involving Religion
  • Autonomy of Religious Institutions.
  • Religious Objections to Labor Union Membership
  • Constitutional Rights and Violations

We can  also provide referrals. For more information, or to obtain help, click here.

Home » Archives » News Archives » 2012 » Church State Council Legislative Update!

Church State Council Legislative Update!

Church State Council Legislative Update!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

 

California Workplace Religious Freedom Act

Sails Through Assembly Judiciary Committee, 9-0! 

Thanks in no small measure to your phone calls, emails and letters, a bill to strengthen laws requiring employers to provide religious accommodation for workers passed with strong bi partisan support in the Assembly Judiciary Committee today.

When we entered the Capitol this morning, we were immediately overwhelmed by a line of literally hundreds of persons attending hearings on another bill. A quick google search revealed that the bill was designed to outlaw the use of dogs to hunt bears and bobcats. Yet, when we went upstairs to the Judiciary Committee, no such crowd turned out in support of workers’ rights to balance their work obligations with their religious commitments.

Although we expect the bill to clear its next hurdle, Appropriations Committee, and be passed by the California Assembly, much stronger opposition is expected in the Senate. At that time, it will be imperative for those who care about religious freedom to pull out all stops to send their emails, make their phone calls, and appear by the hundreds in support of workplace religious freedom.

“Every business day, Californians are losing their jobs for no other “crime” than their faith,” reports Alan J. Reinach, Esq., executive director of the Church State Council. “AB 1964 is urgently needed to remedy the problem. We are grateful to Assemblymember Mariko Yamada for her authorship of this bill.”

 

WHAT TO DO NOW!

 

  • Visit the local district office of your own State Assembly member, and urge support for AB 1964. Take church members who have experienced Sabbath problems at work, so they can tell their stories.
  • Phone the Sacramento office of your Assembly member to urge support.
  • Write emails and letters in support.
  • Distribute this widely, and urge others to support the bill
  • Read up on the bill at www.churchstate.org 
  • PRAY FOR PASSAGE OF AB 1964

 

Find your Assembly member here: http://192.234.213.69/amapsearch

Talking points for letters and visits are on our website:  www.churchstate.org.

 

For more info:  Church State Council         www.churchstate.org                       916-446-2552

 


RELATED CONTENT

Comments from Alan J. Reinach, Esq on signing of AB 1964 VICTORY - AB 1964 Signed by Governor Brown AB 1964 Update Ab 1964 Update DON’T JUST MOURN ANTI-RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE! SHOW YOUR OUTRAGE Contact Your Legislator Legislative Update Yamada’s Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 Advances AB 1964 Postponed Assemblymember Yamada’s Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 Passed by the State Assembly Workplace Religious Freedom Act Passed by the Sate Assembly Testimony of Alan J. Reinach, Esq. - Assembly Appropriations Committee NARLA West Testimony Testimony of Alan J. Reinach, Esq., Church State Council Executive Director Text of AB 1964 Pictures of Committee Hearings FACT SHEET ON AB 1964 Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 Clears First Policy Committee The Workplace Religious Freedom Act Talking Points for AB 1964