Bill > H1536

This bill aims to protect the religious beliefs and moral convictions of citizens in the Commonwealth. The key provisions include: 1. Protecting the sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions of individuals regarding marriage between a man and a woman, and the biological sex of individuals as determined at birth. 2. Prohibiting the state government from taking discriminatory actions against religious organizations, adoption/foster care agencies, foster/adoptive parents, healthcare providers, and providers of certain marriage-related goods and services, based on their adherence to the protected religious beliefs or moral convictions. 3. Allowing state employees with the authority to authorize or solemnize marriages to seek recusal from doing so based on the protected beliefs or convictions, while ensuring the state takes steps to prevent any delays or impediments to the authorization or solemnization of legally valid marriages. 4. Defining "discriminatory action" broadly and providing legal remedies, including the ability to recover damages and attorneys' fees, for those who successfully assert a claim or defense under the bill. The bill aims to provide broad protection for the free exercise of religious beliefs and moral convictions, while also clarifying that it does not preempt or repeal any state or local laws that are equally or more protective of such rights.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1536