MN HF2422

Prohibits the Commissioner of Health and local health boards from prohibiting or limiting religious organizations from operating or conducting religious services during a disaster emergency.

Allows health authorities to enforce neutral health, safety, and occupancy requirements applicable to all organizations, but only if they impose no substantial burden on the religious organization unless essential to further a compelling health or safety interest using the least restrictive means.

Defines "discriminatory action" to include altering tax treatment, denying tax exemptions or charitable deductions, imposing fines or penalties, or withholding state grants, contracts, licenses, or benefits based on religious status.

Permits religious organizations to sue the state or local health boards for violations in court without exhausting administrative remedies and allows recovery of declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, attorney fees, and costs within two years of the violation.

Waives sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunities to suit and from liability for the state and local health boards, and establishes that this law supersedes conflicting statutes and gubernatorial orders that infringe on free exercise of religion.