Amends Constitution to allow public funds to be used for historic preservation of places of worship.

SCR 42 proposes amending the New Jersey Constitution to allow public funds to be used for the historic preservation of churches and other places of worship. This constitutional change directly responds to a 2023 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling (Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Morris County) that found using taxpayer funds for church restoration under historic preservation programs violated the state's Religious Aid Clause. The amendment would permit counties and municipalities to use designated historic preservation funds for repairing or restoring religious sites with historical significance, consistent with existing local trust fund programs. It requires voter approval through a statewide referendum before taking effect.