SB193 (2017) - Briarwood Presbyterian Church Police Force
- Status: Failed
- Session: 2017 Regular
- Latest Update: June 5, 2017
This bill passed the Senate on April 11 but did not come to the floor for a vote in the House. It would have authorized a separate police force for the church, which would have vested state powers in a religious body and violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. Even though this version failed to pass, it did not lack support, and we expect to see a similar effort next year. We will continue to fight against legislation like this that threatens the separation of church and state.
We are interested in talking with anyone who would be adversely affected by the creation of a police force at Briarwood.
2017 Alabama Legislative Report
The 2017 legislative session ended May 19, and to many, it seemed to be among the most contentious of recent years. In addition to the removal of Chief Justice Roy Moore and the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley, there were heated debates over many issues such as the federal court-ordered reapportionment, prison construction, confederate monuments, and a racist joke about monkeys.
By Rebecca Seung-Bickley, Windy Leavell
Statement on the Briarwood Presbyterian Church
Alabama Senate Bill 193 would have authorized the formation of a Briarwood Church police force – police officers with full state authority answerable only to the Church. It passed the Senate in April and was expected to pass the House; however, it never reached the floor for a vote. As a result, the bill died this legislative session, but the support behind it remains, and the ACLU of Alabama expects to see something like it again.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.