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HB16-1180

Free Exercise Of Religion

Type Bill
Session 2016 Regular Session
Subjects
Civil Law

Concerning a person's free exercise of religion.

Bill Summary:

The bill:
  • Specifies that no state action may burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden to a person's exercise of religion is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest;
  • Defines 'exercise of religion' as the practice or observance of religion. The bill specifies that exercise of religion includes the ability to act or refuse to act in a manner substantially motivated by a person's sincerely held religious beliefs, whether or not the exercise is compulsory or central to a larger system of religious belief; except that it does not include the ability to act or refuse to act based on race or ethnicity.
  • Provides a claim or defense to a person whose exercise of religion is burdened by state action; and
  • Specifies that nothing in the bill creates any rights by an employee against an employer unless the employer is a government employer.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Status

Lost

Introduced

Lost

Related Documents & Information

Date Version Documents
02/02/2016 Introduced PDF
Date Version Documents
06/01/2016 FN2 PDF
02/25/2016 FN1 PDF
Activity Vote Documents
Refer House Bill 16-1180 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 4-5. Vote summary
Postpone House Bill 16-1180 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 5-4. Vote summary
Date Location Action
03/16/2016 House House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Postpone Indefinitely
02/02/2016 House Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs