Bill > SB129

This bill, titled the "Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act," aims to preserve religious freedom by establishing that the government cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, which is defined broadly to include practices and observances, unless it demonstrates that the burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest. This standard, known as the "compelling interest test," is being restored to protect religious freedom, particularly after a Supreme Court decision in *Employment Division v. Smith* that reduced such protections for laws neutral toward religion. The bill allows individuals whose religious exercise is burdened by government action to assert this violation as a claim or defense in court and potentially recover attorney fees if they prevail, though it includes exceptions for penal institutions and does not create rights for employees against private employers.