New Jersey Pastor Protection Act (A 1706)

A 1706 would prohibit the state from requiring any member of the clergy of any religion and any religious society, institution, or organization to solemnize any marriage or civil union.

The bill would allow any religious society, institution, or organization in the state to refuse to provide space, services, advantages, goods, or privileges related to the solemnization, celebration, or promotion of a marriage or civil union if such solemnization, celebration, or promotion of a marriage or civil union is in violation of the beliefs of such religious society, institution, or organization.

The bill further provides that no civil claim or cause of action against any religious society, institution, or organization, or any employee thereof, could arise out of any such refusal to provide space, services, advantages, goods, or privileges, other than when providing a place of public accommodation. The state would not be able to penalize or withhold benefits from any such religious society, institution, or organization, or any employee thereof, for refusing to provide goods or services.

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

STATUS

Identical to A 4733, which failed to pass in 2015.

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