AZ HB2648

Declares religious services an essential service during a state of emergency and requires state government to allow religious organizations to operate to the same extent as other essential service providers.

Prohibits state government from taking discriminatory actions against religious organizations based on their religious status, operations during emergencies, or exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment.

Allows religious organizations to challenge discriminatory state actions in court without exhausting administrative remedies and recover declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.

Permits state government to enforce neutral health, safety, and occupancy requirements on religious organizations only if the requirements apply equally to all essential service providers and meet strict scrutiny standards.

Waives state sovereign and governmental immunity to lawsuits by religious organizations for damages caused by violations of these protections.