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Iowa Conscience Protection Act (SF 2171)

This law was last updated on Oct 12, 2016

State

Iowa

Number

SF 2171

Status

Failed to Pass

Proposed

Feb 11, 2016

Sponsors

Primary Sponsors: 11
Total Sponsors: 11

Topics

Conscience and Refusal Clauses, LGBTQ, Religious Freedom

Full Bill Text

www.legis.iowa.gov

SF 2171 would prohibit state action from burdening a person’s free exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a law, ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, or policy of general applicability, unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden to the person’s exercise of religion is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

A person whose exercise of religion has been burdened or is likely to be burdened in violation of this provision may assert such violation or impending violation as a claim or defense in a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding, regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity is a party to the proceeding.

The law allows religious freedom to be raised as a defense in lawsuits between private citizens and therefore does not track the federal RFRA.

STATUS

Companion bill to HF 2200.

Similar to HF 2032.

People

Primary Sponsor

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