Oklahoma Right of Conscience Act (SB 197)

SB 197 would permit discrimination in the state of Oklahoma due to a person’s sincerely held religious beliefs or conscience.

The bill would prohibit the state from requiring any individual to do any of the following, if it would be contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs or conscience of the individual regarding marriage, lifestyle or behavior:

• Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges used in a marriage ceremony or celebration of a specific lifestyle or behavior; or
• Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to be used to promote, advertise, endorse or advocate for a specific marriage, lifestyle or behavior.

The bill would protect an individual or entity engaging in such discrimination from any civil claim, cause of action, or penalization from the government.

The broad language of the bill would potentially allow for discrimination against not only LGBTQ people, but interracial couples, interfaith couples, divorcees, single parents, and women seeking reproductive health services.

Related Legislation

Based on model legislation drafted by Americans United for Life.

Similar to SB 1328, which failed to pass in 2016.

People

Organizations

• Americans United for Life — Drafted Model Law