HB 5958 Summary

• Establishes the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect individuals' exercise of religion from substantial government burdens, even when burdens result from rules of general applicability.

• Permits government to substantially burden religious exercise only if it demonstrates the burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

• Allows persons whose religious exercise is burdened in violation of the act to assert this as a claim or defense in any judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain appropriate relief, including equitable relief.

• Authorizes courts to award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees, to a person who prevails against government under this act.

• Applies to all state and political subdivision laws, whether statutory or otherwise, adopted before or after the effective date, unless a law explicitly excludes application by reference to this act.