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West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 4012)
This law was last updated on Dec 12, 2016
Number
HB 4012
Status
Failed to Pass
Proposed
Jan 26, 2016
Sponsors
Co-sponsors: 10
Primary Sponsors: 1
Total Sponsors: 11
Full Bill Text
HB 4012 would prohibit the state from burdening a person’s right to exercise religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability unless the state demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
The law states that a person whose religious freedom has been burdened in violation of the law may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding and obtain appropriate relief against the state or a political subdivision of the state.
The law does not allow religious freedom to be raised as a defense in lawsuits between private citizens and therefore tracks the federal RFRA.
STATUS
Similar to SB 11.
People
Co-sponsor
Primary Sponsor
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