HB1228 Summary

• Enacts the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" (also known as "Mary's Law") to provide state-level protection for religious exercise by applying strict scrutiny when state action substantially burdens religious practice.

• Prohibits government entities from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion unless the burden is essential to furthering a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of doing so.

• Allows persons whose religious exercise is substantially burdened to assert claims or defenses in judicial or administrative proceedings and obtain relief including injunctive relief, declaratory relief, compensatory damages, and attorney's fees.

• Exempts the Department of Correction, Department of Community Correction, county jails, and detention facilities from the act's protections.

• Declares an emergency clause making the act effective upon the Governor's approval or as otherwise specified by law.