number of states around the country have already passed laws stating that a young man between the age of eighteen and twenty-six cannot obtain a driver's license without having registered for the draft. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is currently in the process of passing such a law. Under the text of this legislation, Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 305, a citizen or immigrant male between the age of eighteen or twenty-six, who applies for a learner's permit, identification card, a driver's license, or renewal of such permit must register or consent to register with Selective Service. This bill was introduced by Michael Waugh (R-28th District) along with eleven other co-sponsors.

Most young men who are conscientious objectors (CO) are willing to comply with Selective Service by registering. There are, however, many others who cannot, without violating deeply held beliefs, register for the draft. If this law were to be passed in Pennsylvania, as it has been in other states, it is a violation of religious freedom. These Bills erode the religious liberty of Pennsylvanians and others who conscientiously object to war requiring these young men to choose between their religious convictions and having a driver's license or even an ID.

These Bills are in particular violation of the Religious Freedom Protection Act of 2002 in Pennsylvania. Any law that is enacted must be written in such a way that it least restricts the practice of one's religious beliefs. Furthermore, by adding the additional stipulation of making registration with Selective Service automatic and mandatory upon applying for a driver's license, learner's permit, or identification card, these Bills immediately restrict the practice of those religious groups and members of those groups who are opposed to participation in war in any form.

The Federal Selective Service System is failing to meet an adequately high standard for accommodating this religious freedom, and the State of Pennsylvania should not be required to share this failure. Therefore, the State should not add to the penalties faced by men that refuse for conscience sake.

In fact, many have argued in the courts that it is a violation of a person's constitutional right to penalize without being given the due process of the law. The bill punishes men who have been convicted of no crime. Men who refuse to register are being denied the privilege of driving. Men and women who have actually been convicted of serious crimes are not punished in this way. It is unfair to single out men of conscience in this way, when people without consciences who have been convicted of serious crimes are free to drive.

There are men who refuse to register for moral and religious reasons. We have a long tradition in this country of respecting such convictions. Although the government has the power to punish such men, it should not. We need more people of conscience who are willing to take risks for what they believe. If the state wants to make it easier for men to register -- so be it. But the state should not add to the penalties faced by men who refuse for conscience sake.

Bill No. 305 was referred to the Transportation committee at its introduction, and has since been approved there. It is currently scheduled to come to the PA Senate floor for a vote on Monday, March 29th. After that it will go to the House.

Residents of Pennsylvania need to act now to stop this bill from being passed. It is essential that PA residents call up their district Senators and state Representatives to let them know that this bill will violate the religious freedom conscientious individuals.

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