SB 478 Summary

• Prohibits governmental entities from requiring individuals or religious entities to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges related to marriage, domestic partnerships, civil unions, or similar arrangements if doing so contradicts their sincerely held religious beliefs regarding sex or gender.

• Prevents civil claims or causes of action under state or local law against individuals or religious entities that refuse to engage in the prohibited activities, and bars governmental entities from penalizing, discriminating against, or disadvantaging protected individuals or religious entities.

• Requires employers to promptly provide alternative employees or officials to deliver services when an employee invokes religious protections, unless doing so creates undue hardship to the employer.

• Prohibits personnel disciplinary action against employees who invoke the law's protections, with "disciplinary action" defined to include dismissal, demotion, transfer, suspension, reprimand, and other adverse employment actions.

• Effective July 1, 2015, with emergency provision allowing immediate implementation upon passage and approval.