SB 440 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2015, establishing protections for individuals and religious entities to refuse services related to sex, gender, or sexual orientation based on sincerely held religious beliefs.

• Prohibits governmental entities from requiring individuals or religious entities to provide services, counseling, adoption, foster care, employment benefits, or solemnize marriages/domestic partnerships that conflict with their religious beliefs regarding sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

• Prevents civil claims or governmental penalties against individuals or religious entities for refusing protected activities; allows defendants to immediately assert these protections as a defense and limits discovery during proceedings.

• Entitles individuals or religious entities to recover reasonable attorney fees, costs, and damages if a governmental entity violates the protections; requires employers to ensure services are provided by others if employees invoke protections.

• Repeals the prior Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act (51 O.S. 2011, Sections 251-258) and declares an emergency effective date upon passage and approval.