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Call-to-Action
Legislative Alert! "Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity or Expression" to be added to non-discrimination statement with NO RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.
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HB1510, SB 974, and tangently HB 1664 propose a real and significant threat to private faith-based school's ability to employ mission-minded personnel. HB1510 & SB 974 would add the phrase "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" (for which Facebook currently lists 58 options) to a list of classifications (i.e. race, color, age, sex, national origin, and non-job related handicap or disability) for which employers (religious and non-religious) may not discriminate and for which there is no exemption. Furthermore, religious institutions are included in this legislative mandate if they:
1. Are "supported, in whole or in part, by governmental appropriations" (most Christian School students receive one or more of the following government supports: bus transportation to and from school, Intermediate Unit academic or counseling services, student textbooks, and/or an EITC/OSTC Scholarships).
OR
2. Employ "four or more persons"(most schools do).
In short, a school's Statements of Faith and Faculty Code of Conduct would not prevent them from declining employment of someone who does not reflect the beliefs and values of the school and its community. We are hosting a special ACSIPA Legislative webinar with Attorney Randall Wenger from the PA Family Institute and others on Friday, December 11 at 3:30 (space is limited to the first 100 registrants!) We will talk about the practical ways that these issues will affect our work, and what we can do to help.
Good News and Bad News - The good news is that friends of private, faith-based schools are committed to keeping HB 1510 and SB 974 in committee where it is most likely to be kept from being added to the non-discrimination clause. The bad news is that if they were to get out of committee and before the full PA House or Senate, there are not enough votes to prevent its passage. Which brings us to the really bad news . . . HB 1664. HB1664, which makes an editorial change to the discrimination clause and has already cleared committee, is "ripe to be amended" with HB1510 language. This scenario means we may be weeks away from passage of an amendment and a new law that makes it illegal for churches, ministries, and Christian schools to hire people who believe and live according to the scriptures and are essential to the fulfillment of their religious mission.
WHAT CAN WE DO? - Below are several critical action steps:
* Don't do anything. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke
*Contact your State Representative (LINK BELOW)
*Tell a Friend to do the same ALERT AT PRESSTIME UPDATE:
We just heard that this bill is growing momentum and has a real chance to pass, we need your immediate help. Please make sure your school communities have seen the voter voice action alert above and are responding. In addition, make sure you attend our webinar with PA Family Institute Attorney Randall Wenger on Friday, December 11 at 3:30 to get critical information on this bill that is threatening our religious liberties. Click this link on December 11 to attend this live webinar. Space is limited to the first 100 registrants!
VOTERS VOICE LINK
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