SW News: Governor of the US state of South Carolina Henry McMaster signed a Religious Freedom Act, which according to the governor’s official website, “protects places of worship from government overreach and forced closure during states of emergency.” On Monday, June 6, a ceremonial bill signing event was held at Spartanburg where the governor was joined by faith leaders and members of the General Assembly, as well as Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette.

Governor McMaster said that this legislation would further guarantee that “South Carolinians’ constitutionally protected right to worship will not be infringed.”

South Carolina Religious Freedom Act states that if any place of worship is denied their right to worship during declared emergencies, they can seek declaratory relief and compensatory damages for pecuniary and nonpecuniary losses.

The governor pointed out that during the pandemic, various restrictions were implemented by liberal governors, but “the most egregious of those mandates were the closure of churches, synagogues, and other places of worship.” He said that it is “truly alarming” that any elected official thought that they had the authority to tell their constituents that they couldn’t go to church, while describing the church as “the place that provides comfort in times of need and where many feel closest to God and their communities.”

H B. 3105, also known as the South Carolina Religious Freedom Act, passed the Senate 39-2 and the House 102-9.