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Culture & Conversation Abortion
This law was last updated on Dec 12, 2016
Current
Rhode Island’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act prohibits the government from restricting a person’s free exercise of religion unless the restriction is in the form of a rule of general applicability, and does not intentionally discriminate against religion, or among religions; and the governmental authority proves that application of the restriction to the person is essential to further a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
A person alleging violation of this law may take civil action against the government and be awarded injunctive and declaratory relief from a court.
The amendment does not allow religious freedom to be raised as a defense in lawsuits between private citizens and therefore tracks the federal RFRA.