Signed by Governor Mike Pence

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion.

Highlights:

• Defines “person” as the following entities (Sec. 1): 
• An individual;
• An organization or group that is organized and operated primarily for religious purposes; and
• An organization or group that may sue and be sued, and exercises practices that are compelled or limited by a system of religious belief held by an individual with control and substantial ownership of the entity.

• Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s “exercise of religion” except when the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• The government does so to further a compelling governmental interest; and
• The government uses the least restrictive means available to further the interest.

• Defines “exercise of religion” as an exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious beliefs (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a person to assert a claim or defense when an unauthorized government action burdens the person’s exercise of religion (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the provisions of this bill from being used to create a claim or private cause of action against a private employer by an applicant, employee, or former employee (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion.

Highlights:

• Defines “person” as the following entities (Sec. 1): 
• An individual;
• An organization or group that is organized and operated primarily for religious purposes; and
• An organization or group that may sue and be sued, and exercises practices that are compelled or limited by a system of religious belief held by an individual with control and substantial ownership of the entity.

• Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s “exercise of religion” except when the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• The government does so to further a compelling governmental interest; and
• The government uses the least restrictive means available to further the interest.

• Defines “exercise of religion” as an exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious beliefs (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a person to assert a claim or defense when an unauthorized government action burdens the person’s exercise of religion (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the provisions of this bill from being used to create a claim or private cause of action against a private employer by an applicant, employee, or former employee (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion.

Highlights:

• Defines “person” as the following entities (Sec. 1): 
• An individual;
• An organization or group that is organized and operated primarily for religious purposes; and
• An organization or group that may sue and be sued, and exercises practices that are compelled or limited by a system of religious belief held by an individual with control and substantial ownership of the entity.

• Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s “exercise of religion” except when the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• The government does so to further a compelling governmental interest; and
• The government uses the least restrictive means available to further the interest.

• Defines “exercise of religion” as an exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious beliefs (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a person to assert a claim or defense when an unauthorized government action burdens the person’s exercise of religion (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text