Bill > SB36

This bill establishes the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which provides legal protections for individuals' religious exercise against government actions that substantially burden their religious practices. The bill allows individuals to challenge government actions that interfere with their religious beliefs, requiring the government to demonstrate that any such burden meets two key criteria: first, that it furthers a compelling governmental interest, and second, that it uses the least restrictive means to achieve that interest. The legislation defines "exercise of religion" broadly, covering any religious practice protected by state or federal constitutional provisions, and applies to all levels of government in Georgia. Individuals who believe their religious exercise has been improperly burdened can seek judicial relief and potentially recover attorney's fees if they prevail. The bill explicitly states that it does not alter the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and clarifies that granting government funding or benefits to religious entities is permissible as long as it complies with constitutional standards. Notably, the bill was inspired by a 1997 Supreme Court case (City of Boerne v. Flores) that required states to pass their own religious freedom protection laws to apply the "compelling interest test" to state and local government actions.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69556