NJ SCR102

Proposes amending Article I, paragraph 3 of the New Jersey Constitution to create an exception to the "Religious Aid Clause" allowing public funds for historic preservation of churches and places of worship.

Responds to the New Jersey Supreme Court decision in Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, which prohibited Morris County from awarding taxpayer funds to repair twelve historic churches.

Would allow counties and municipalities to use their voter-approved Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds for restoration of historically significant religious properties.

Requires voter approval at a general election occurring more than three months after legislative passage, with the question published in newspapers at least three months before the election.