MS HB1523

Prohibits state government from taking discriminatory action against individuals, religious organizations, or businesses that deny services related to same-sex marriages, refuse to provide gender transition treatments, or make employment/housing decisions based on beliefs that marriage is between one man and one woman, sex is determined at birth, and sexual relations should be reserved for such marriages

Allows government employees who authorize or perform marriages (clerks, judges, justices of the peace) to recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses or solemnizing marriages that conflict with their religious beliefs, provided they give written notice and ensure no delays occur

Protects businesses providing wedding-related services (photographers, florists, bakers, venues, DJs) from government penalties if they refuse to serve same-sex weddings based on religious or moral convictions

Permits adoption and foster care agencies to decline placements and allows individuals to raise foster/adoptive children according to these religious beliefs without government penalty

Defines discriminatory actions to include changes to tax status, denial of grants/contracts/licenses, employment retaliation, and fines; provides a two-year statute of limitations for claims and effective date of July 1, 2016