RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 30 (SB 63) 2023 Regular Session Mizell
Existing constitution provides that no law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of
religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
New constitutional amendment provides that the freedom to worship in a church or other
place of worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the highest order of protection.
New constitutional amendment retains existing constitution and clarifies that new
constitutional amendment is not intended to alter or limit the free exercise of religion
guaranteed in the existing constitution.
New constitutional amendment further provides that if the state or local government acts in
a manner contrary to the new constitutional amendment, a court hearing the challenge to that
governmental action is to apply the standard of strict scrutiny, unless a higher level of
protection is recognized and applied by the court.
Specifies submission of the amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on
October 14, 2023.
(Adds Const. Art. XII, Sec. 17)