Bill > SF2095

This bill is known as the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" and aims to protect the free exercise of religion in the state of Iowa. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Restoring the "compelling governmental interest test" and guaranteeing its application in all cases where the free exercise of religion is substantially burdened by state action. 2. Providing a claim or defense for a person whose exercise of religion is substantially burdened by state action. 3. Defining key terms such as "compelling governmental interest," "exercise of religion," "person," "state action," and "substantially burden." 4. Stating that state action shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion unless the government can demonstrate that the burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest. 5. Allowing a person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened to assert a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain appropriate relief, including damages, injunctive relief, or other redress. The bill is effective immediately upon enactment and applies to all state and local laws, whether adopted before, on, or after the effective date.