MS HB737

Religious organizations, clergy, ministers, and certain individuals employed by religious organizations are not required to solemnize marriages or provide services related to marriage if doing so would violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Refusal to provide marriage-related services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges based on religious beliefs cannot be used as the basis for civil or criminal legal action.

The state and its political subdivisions are prohibited from penalizing or withholding benefits, tax exemptions, governmental contracts, grants, or licenses from organizations or individuals exercising religious exemptions under this act.

The protections apply to religious organizations, organizations supervised or controlled by religious entities, employees of religious organizations acting within their employment scope, and clergy members of any faith tradition.