S.6087-A, Golden / A.8800-A, Castro: In relation to authorizing the use of public school buildings and school sites for religious meetings and worship
MEMORANDUM OF SUPPORT
The above-referenced bill would provide faith groups with the ability to rent or otherwise utilize public school property for use as a meeting place, including for services and worship. The bill provides a balance by permitting the trustees, boards of education or community school boards, as applicable, to adopt reasonable regulations for such use so as to ensure the use is not disruptive of normal school operations, while, at the same time, preventing trustees, boards of education or community school boards from using this regulatory power to exclude or limit religious conduct or speech during non-school hours.
The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation as a matter of religious freedom.
While this issue does not directly impact the Catholic Church, we stand united with our brothers and sisters of faith, knowing that many other denominations rely on such space to hold services and meetings essential to the functioning of their congregations. As a matter of fairness and freedom of religious expression, and in the interest of fostering a vibrant faith community in all parts of the state, we believe that public school facilities should be made available to religious congregants for meetings, services and worship.
We urge favorable action on this legislation.
