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Culture & Conversation Human Rights
Iowa Conscience Protection Act (SF 2171)
This law was last updated on Oct 12, 2016
Number
SF 2171
Status
Failed to Pass
Proposed
Feb 11, 2016
Sponsors
Primary Sponsors: 11
Total Sponsors: 11
Full Bill Text
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
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