Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2760: Establishes the "PRAISE Act", prohibiting the closure of places of worship during an emergency
Status: In committee, April 8, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to houses of worship. Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as.
From the engrossed text:
To amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to houses of worship. Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 1.810, to read as follows: 1.810. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency (PRAISE) Act". 2. During states of emergency declared under the provisions of chapter 44 or orders made with the powers granted under section 192.020, neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions shall impose restrictions upon religious places of worship with the intent to make, or the effect of making, religious services impractical. If any entity is exempt from such emergency declarations or orders, religious places of worship shall also be exempt. Emergency declarations and orders shall not prohibit religious services that are held on private property. 3. The provisions of subsection 2 of this section shall not apply to emergency evacuation orders involving imminent danger from flooding, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, terrorist threats, civil unrest, or hazardous material incidents that apply generally to the area where the religious place of worship or the residences of its members are located. Once the imminent danger has passed, religious services shall be allowed to resume. EXPLANATION -- Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] …
Sponsors
- Pouche, Sean (R, 013) · primary sponsor
- Boggs, Mitch (R, 157)
- Scott Miller (R, 069)
- Mike Costlow (R, 108)
- Deanna Self (R, 064)
- Becky Laubinger (R, 117)
- Ed Lewis (R, 006)
- John Hewkin (R, 120)
- Brad Banderman (R, 119)
Latest actions
- : Second read and referred: General Laws(S)
- : Reported to the Senate and First Read (S)
- : Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 104 NOES: 38 PRESENT: 6
- : Taken Up for Third Reading (H)
- : Placed on the Informal Third Reading Calendar (H)
- : Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0
- : Voted Do Pass (H)
- : Executive Session Completed (H)
- : Referred: Fiscal Review(H)
- : Perfected (H)
Votes
- Third Read and Passed (H) (April 2, 2026): 104 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Reported Do Pass (H) (April 2, 2026): 6 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Reported Do Pass (H) (March 5, 2026): 9 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Reported Do Pass (H) (February 18, 2026): 8 yea, 4 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB2760?
- HB2760 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Establishes the "PRAISE Act", prohibiting the closure of places of worship during an emergency.
- What does HB2760 do?
- In its own words: To amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to houses of worship. Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as.
- What is the status of HB2760?
- In committee as of April 8, 2026. Latest action: Second read and referred: General Laws(S) (April 8, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2760?
- Pouche, Sean (R, 013), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2760?
- On the Missouri Legislature website: https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB2760&year=2026&code=R
Source: official Missouri record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.