MT governor signs bill protecting freedoms of licensed professionals

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen regarding Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signing Friday of HB 443, a bill that ensures that Montana’s licensed professionals are free to live and work according to their faith:

“Americans should be free to live and work consistent with their religious beliefs without fear of unjust punishment from the government. HB 443 protects Montana’s licensed professionals who exercise their constitutional right to free speech or religious exercise from being targeted by licensing agencies or other licensed professionals. As the Supreme Court wrote in the ADF case Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, to discriminate on the basis of religious identity ‘is odious to our Constitution…and cannot stand.’ We commend the Montana Legislature and Gov. Gianforte for enacting this important legislation, which helps ensure that freedom of religion is protected in Montana. Thanks to their leadership, the state’s hard-working professionals will not lose their livelihood simply because they express messages consistent with their faith.”

• Pronunciation guide: Chafuen (CHAFF’-wen)

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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