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ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2648 By: Hill, Echols, Hardin
(David), Townley, Burns,
Steagall, Crosswhite Hader,
West (Kevin), Cornwell,
Caldwell (Chad), Kendrix,
Dills, Grego, Boles,
Conley, Gann, Mize, Stark,
Russ, Roberts (Eric),
Roberts (Sean), McDugle,
Caldwell (Trey), Bashore,
Wolfley, Moore, West
(Tammy), Miller, Smith,
Dempsey, Baker, Lepak,
McCall, Sims, Lawson,
Williams, Roe, Humphrey,
O'Donnell, Phillips and
Manger of the House
and
Bullard of the Senate
An Act relating to officers; amending 51 O.S. 2011,
Section 253, which relates to the free exercise of
religion; prohibiting any governmental entity from
closing any place of worship during an emergency; and
providing an effective date .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOM A:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 51 O.S. 2011, Section 253, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 253. A. Except as provided in subsection B of this
section, no governmental entity shall substantially burden a
person's free exercise of religion even if the burden results from a
rule of general applicability.
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B. No governmental entity shall substantially burden a person 's
free exercise of religion unless it demonstrates that application of
the burden to the person is:
1. Essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and
2. The least restrictive means of furthering that compelling
governmental interest.
C. Any order or rule issued by any governmental entity pursuant
to an emergency that requires closure of any place of worship
entitled to the religious exemption found in Section 501(c)(3) of
Title 26 of the United States C ode shall be considered a substantial
burden even if the order or rule is one of general applicability.
SECTION 2. This act shall become ef fective November 1, 2021.
Passed the House of Representatives the 3rd day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate