Bill > SB440

This bill, titled the "Oklahoma Religious Freedom Reformation Act of 2015," aims to repeal and replace the existing Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, and it takes effect immediately due to an emergency declaration. The new act defines "religious entity" broadly to include organizations, entities connected to religious organizations, and even privately-held businesses that operate according to their sincerely held religious beliefs, and "governmental entity" as any part of state or local government or anyone acting under its authority. Crucially, it prohibits any governmental entity from requiring an individual or religious entity to provide services, accommodations, or engage in activities related to marriage or similar arrangements if it conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs regarding sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Furthermore, it prevents legal action or penalties against individuals or religious entities for refusing such activities and allows them to use these protections as a defense in court, with the possibility of recovering legal fees if they prevail. The bill also includes provisions for severability, clarifies that it does not permit marriages prohibited by other state laws, and mandates that its provisions be interpreted broadly to protect religious exercise to the fullest extent allowed by law.