North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SB 550)

SB 550 would prohibit the government from burdening a person’s freedom of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability unless the government demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is essential to further a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

The bill states that a person whose religious freedom has been burdened in violation of the provision may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding and may obtain appropriate relief regardless of whether the State or one of its political subdivisions is a party to the proceeding.

The language of the bill would allow 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 SB 348.

People