Washington Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 1217)

This law was last updated on Aug 27, 2018

State

Washington

Number

HB 1217

Status

Failed to Pass

Proposed

Jan 13, 2017

Topics

Religious Freedom, RFRA

Full Bill Text

lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov

HB 1217 would prohibit the state from burdening a person’s right to the exercise of religion or freedom of conscience, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it is essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

A person whose exercise of religion or freedom of conscience has been burdened or is likely to be burdened may assert the violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity 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.