Michigan Pastor Protection Act (HB 4855)

HB 4855 would prohibit ministers, clerics, or religious practitioners from being required to solemnize or recognize a marriage that violates his or her conscience or religious beliefs.

The bill defines “recognize” to mean providing religious-based services that are both of the following:

• “Delivered by a religious organization or by a individual who is managed, supervised, or directed by a religious organization.
• Designed for a married couple or a couple engaged to marry and directly related to solemnizing, celebrating, strengthening, or promoting a marriage, such as religious counseling programs, courses, retreats, workshops, and services provided at a wedding chapel.”

The First Amendment already covers the right of religious organizations to refuse to perform marriages that conflict with their religious beliefs.

STATUS

Similar to HB 4858.

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