Stories tagged with: legislation

• ERLC agenda: Working on multiple tracks in 2020

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020 (4 months ago)

  

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission plans in 2020 to continue its work with not only Congress but the Trump administration and the states on priority issues such as abortion and religious freedom.

  The ERLC released its annual Legislative Agenda in early February in the face of another year of a divided legislative branch. Democrats control the House of Representatives and Republicans hold the majority in the Senate. Read More

• Surge in abortion restrictions bolsters 2020 March for Life

  by Diana Chandler, posted Friday, January 24, 2020 (5 months ago)

  

  iStock

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- As pro-life advocates marched on Washington Friday (Jan. 24), state legislatures had passed 58 abortion restrictions in 2019. But measures providing the most protection for the unborn are blocked in court.

  Nearly half of the restrictions enacted in 2019, 25, would ban all or at least some abortions, Guttmacher Institute reported, setting the stage for Supreme Court challenges to Roe v. Wade 47 years after its passage. Read More

• TX passes bill to shield churches that report abusers

  by Diana Chandler, posted Thursday, May 23, 2019 (one year ago)

  

  iStock

  AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- The Texas Legislature unanimously passed a bill initiated by Southern Baptists to provide civil immunity to churches that disclose credible sex abuse allegations.

  The Texas Senate passed House Bill 4345 late yesterday (May 22) without opposition, two weeks after the House approved the measure. The bill is written to protect charitable organizations, their volunteers and independent contractors from liability when disclosing credible allegations to prospective employers, even when no criminal charges have been filed against the accused. Read More

• TX reps OK bill for churches to report sex predators

  by Diana Chandler, posted Friday, May 10, 2019 (one year ago)

  

  iStock photo

  AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill shielding from civil liability churches that disclose credible sexual abuse allegations -- but the bill has only 17 days to pass the Senate this legislative session.

  Representatives May 8 unanimously approved House Bill 4345, assigned today (May 10) to the Senate State Affairs committee. The House bill would protect charitable organizations, their volunteers and independent contractors from liability when disclosing such information to prospective employers, even when no criminal charges have been filed against the accused. A May 7 amendment extended protection to independent contractors, previously not included. Read More

• TX bill would shield churches that report sex abuse

  by Diana Chandler, posted Friday, March 15, 2019 (one year ago)

  

  iStock

  AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- Southern Baptist pastors and leaders have initiated a Texas bill to allow nonprofits including churches to disclose credible but unproven sexual abuse allegations with no fear of civil liability.

  Texas House Bill 4345, introduced in the legislature March 8, would protect charitable organizations and their volunteers when disclosing such information to prospective employers, even when no criminal charges have been filed against the accused. Read More