Alaska Bill Regarding the Free Exercise of Religion (HB 325)

HB 325 would protect licensed professionals from having their licenses revoked or suspended if they decline to provide or participate in providing a service that violates the person’s sincerely held religious belief.

The bill would prohibit a commissioner, department, and board from denying, revoking, suspending, or placing a limitation on a person’s professional or occupational license, certificate, or registration, or issue an order directing a person to stop an act or a practice, because the person:

• declines to provide or participate in providing a service that violates the person’s sincerely held religious belief;
• refuses to affirm a statement or oath that is contrary to the person’s sincerely held religious belief;
• expresses the person’s sincerely held religious belief in any context;
• provides a service in accordance with the person’s sincerely held religious belief; or
• acts in accordance with the person’s sincerely held religious belief with regard to business or financial matters.

The bill further makes it unlawful to deny a person an appointment to public office or a position on a board, commission, or committee based on the person’s exercise of religion.

People