Bill > A00152

This bill enacts the New York Religious Land Use and Religious Exercise Act, which provides comprehensive protections for religious organizations and individuals against government restrictions on their religious practices and land use. The legislation prevents government entities from imposing substantial burdens on religious exercise, particularly in land use regulations and within institutional settings like prisons or hospitals. Specifically, the bill requires that any government regulation substantially burdening religious exercise must serve a compelling government interest and use the least restrictive means possible. The act also prohibits discrimination against religious assemblies, ensures that religious institutions are treated equally with non-religious institutions, and prevents complete exclusion of religious organizations from jurisdictions. The bill allows individuals and the attorney general to seek judicial relief if religious exercise rights are violated, with potential remedies including actual damages and attorney's fees. Importantly, the law is designed to be broadly interpreted in favor of protecting religious exercise, drawing inspiration from the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, and it includes provisions ensuring that the law cannot be used to restrict religious beliefs or create additional burdens on religious organizations.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A152