MO HJR96

Proposes adding Section 37 ("Religious Liberty Amendment") to Article I of the Missouri Constitution, to be submitted to voters at the November 2016 general election or a special election

Prohibits the state from imposing penalties on religious organizations or persons who believe or act in accordance with sincere religious beliefs concerning same-sex marriage, including adverse tax treatment, denial of licenses/grants/contracts, withholding of benefits, or allowing civil claims against them

Extends protections to certain for-profit businesses that provide creative/artistic goods or services for weddings, or are privately owned, closely held businesses operated according to religious beliefs about same-sex marriage

Explicitly does not permit acts prohibited by criminal law, does not prevent the state from issuing marriage licenses, and does not allow hospitals or healthcare facilities to deny spousal visitation rights or surrogate healthcare decisions

Allows persons or religious organizations to assert violations as claims or defenses in court and obtain compensatory damages, injunctive relief, or declaratory relief against the state