House Bill Would Discourage Church-and-State Suits

Maybe they're planning violations of the existing law...--Dictynna

The NewStandard

Friday 23 June 2006

A bill that supporters say is targeted at the American Civil Liberties Union may undo a law that forces losing defendants to pay plaintiffs' legal fees in cases involving some rights issues.

The Public Expression of Religion Act, introduced last year in the House by Representative John Hostettler (R-Indiana), would amend a law passed in the 1970s aimed at making it easier for Americans to sue the government over civil-rights violations. The law is meant to encourage attorneys to take on cases, providing them guaranteed payment if they win.

Hostettler's bill would do away with the provision granting attorney's fees and reimbursement in cases involving violations of the prohibition against government establishment of religion.