Bill > HF258

This bill establishes the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" in Iowa, which aims to restore the "compelling interest test" for evaluating government actions that substantially burden a person's exercise of religion. The bill provides that the government cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion unless it demonstrates that the burden furthers a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of doing so. It allows individuals to assert a claim or defense of a violation of their religious freedom in judicial or administrative proceedings. The bill applies to all state and local laws and their implementation, but exempts the Department of Corrections, district departments of correctional services, county jails, and other detention facilities.