PRAISE Act - Prohibition on Closure of Places of Worship During Emergencies

Missouri Legislative Events

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 3rd, 2026

Summary

The Missouri House passed HB2760, the PRAISE Act, on April 2, 2026, by a vote of 94-41. The bill prohibits government entities from closing places of worship during declared emergencies. The bill originated with six Republican sponsors and awaits Senate consideration.

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What changed

Missouri HB2760, the PRAISE Act, passed the House on April 2, 2026, establishing a prohibition on closing places of worship during declared emergencies. The bill specifies that government agencies may not order the closure of religious institutions when exercising emergency powers. Sponsored by Representatives Pouche, Boggs, Miller, Costlow, Self, and Laubinger, the bill cleared the House with bipartisan support despite committee votes showing some opposition (9-2-1 in Emerging Issues, 8-4 in Rules).

Religious institutions and their legal counsel should monitor HB2760 as it advances to the Senate, where the bill will require another vote before reaching the Governor's desk. Government emergency management agencies should begin reviewing current emergency orders and protocols that may affect worship facilities. The bill represents a significant expansion of religious assembly protections within Missouri's emergency management framework and may create compliance considerations for localities that have previously closed churches during emergencies.

What to do next

Monitor HB2760 progress through the Missouri Senate
Review and update emergency management protocols that affect places of worship
Consult legal counsel regarding implications for existing emergency orders

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Missouri / HB2760 Passed HB2760 House Bill Passed 2026-01-07

Establishes the "PRAISE Act", prohibiting the closure of places of worship during an emergency

Bill Details

State Missouri

Session 2026 Regular Session

Chamber House

Official Source house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2760&year=20...

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Action History

2026-04-02 H Third Read and Passed (H) 2026-04-02 H Taken Up for Third Reading (H) 2026-04-02 H Placed on the Informal Third Reading Calendar (H) 2026-04-02 H Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0 2026-04-02 H Voted Do Pass (H) 2026-04-02 H Executive Session Completed (H) 2026-04-01 H Referred: Fiscal Review(H) 2026-03-31 H Perfected (H) 2026-03-31 H Title of Bill - Agreed To 2026-03-31 H Taken Up for Perfection (H) 2026-03-23 H Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H) 2026-03-05 H Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 1 2026-03-05 H Voted Do Pass (H) 2026-03-05 H Executive Session Completed (H) 2026-02-26 H Referred: Rules - Legislative(H) 2026-02-18 H Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 4 PRESENT: 0 2026-02-16 H Voted Do Pass (H) 2026-02-16 H Executive Session Completed (H) 2026-02-09 H Public Hearing Completed (H) 2026-01-22 H Referred: Emerging Issues(H) 2026-01-08 H Read Second Time (H) 2026-01-07 H Read First Time (H) 2026-01-06 H Prefiled (H)