HB99 Summary

• Establishes state policy that emergency management should place the least restrictive burden possible on religious worship and activities during declared states of emergency, based on legislative findings regarding First Amendment protections and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

• Requires that health and safety directives imposed on religious institutions during emergencies be no more restrictive than those applied to secular organizations providing essential services, and that any substantially burdensome directives must be the least restrictive means to advance a compelling governmental interest.

• Defines "religious institution" to include houses of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples) and nonprofit organizations with religious identity providing spiritual or material assistance to the public.

• Prohibits state and local governments from discriminating or retaliating against religious institutions during or after a state of emergency, including through unequal health directives, tax status actions, fines, or license revocations.

• Allows religious institutions to bring civil actions for declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees for discriminatory or retaliatory actions, with a two-year statute of limitations.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2024.