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JEFFERSON CITY — Religious not-for-profits would be able to tap state funds for security upgrades under a plan that cleared the Missouri Senate Wednesday.
The so-called Faith Without Fear Act, originally sponsored by Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, would authorize state money for security grants to churches, synagogues, mosques and other facilities.
The upper chamber approved the plan Wednesday, sending it to the House for consideration. The measure was added to an unrelated bill dealing with business entities.
The Faith Without Fear Act would establish a grant program to cover 75% of the cost of enhancements such as security personnel and physical upgrades for religious not-for-profits.
The legislation defines a religious not-for-profit as a church, synagogue, mosque or any entity that “has or would qualify for federal tax-exempt status as a not-for-profit religious organization” under the federal tax code.
The proposal is similar to the Nonprofit Security Grant offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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The Missouri bill limits overall spending on the program to $25 million, with $2.5 million available each fiscal year for the next decade.
Not-for-profits wouldn’t be able to tap more than $50,000 each year from the state.
The legislation stipulates the Department of Public Safety would begin to accept grant applications on Oct. 1, if it is signed into law.
Roberts is running for Congress, seeking the Democratic nomination against incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis.
Passage of the grant program came more than a week after Roberts floated the plan on the Senate floor.
At the time, Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, proposed an amendment only allowing grants for facilities that allowed concealed carry on their premises.
That change was removed by Wednesday.
Also left out of the legislation clearing the Senate was a second plan by Roberts, which would authorize a tax credit for donations to refugee resettlement agencies.
The legislation is Senate Bill 968.
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