HLS 16RS-1164 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 597
BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS: Provides for the Pastor Protection Act
1 AN ACT
2To enact Part XX of Chapter 32 of Title 13 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
3 comprised of R.S. 13:5243 through 5245, relative to religious organizations; to
4 provide for rights of certain religious organizations; to provide for protection against
5 certain punitive measures against religious organizations; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. Part XX of Chapter 32 of Title 13 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
91950, comprised of R.S. 13:5243 through 5245, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 PART XX. PASTOR PROTECTION ACT
11 §5243. Short title
12 This Part may be cited as the "Pastor Protection Act".
13 §5244. Rights of certain religious organizations
14 A religious organization, an organization supervised or controlled by or in
15 connection with a religious organization, an individual employed by a religious
16 organization while acting in the scope of that employment, or a clergy or minister
17 may not be required to solemnize any marriage or provide services,
18 accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the
19 solemnization, formation, or celebration of any marriage if the action would cause
20 the organization or individual to violate a sincerely held religious belief.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1164 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 597
1 §5245. Discrimination against religious organization prohibited
2 A refusal to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges
3 under this Part shall not serve as the basis for a civil or criminal cause of action or
4 any other action by this state or a political subdivision of this state to penalize or
5 withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or governmental contracts,
6 grants, or licenses, from any protected organization or individual.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 597 Original 2016 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Abstract: Provides for the rights of religious organizations and its employees and clergy
to refuse participation in certain marriages.
Present law protects the free exercise of religion.
Proposed law retains present law and creates the Pastor Protection Act.
Proposed law provides that a religious organization, an individual employee of a religious
organization or a clergy or minister may not be required to solemnize or provide services,
accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization,
formation, or celebration of any marriage if doing so would cause the organization to violate
a sincerely held religious belief. Provides that a refusal pursuant to proposed law shall not
serve as the basis for a civil, criminal, or other punitive action by the state or a political
subdivision.
(Adds R.S. 13:5243-5245)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.