Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act

SB 2681 prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

A person whose religious exercise has been burdened in violation of this provision may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief against the government.

The amendment does not allow religious freedom to be raised as a defense in lawsuits between private citizens and therefore tracks the federal RFRA.

People