An Act
ENROLLED 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,
Manger, Boatman and McBride
of the House
and
Bullard, Bergstrom,
Stephens, Rogers, Burns an d
Pederson 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.
SUBJECT: Officers
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 51 O.S. 2011, Section 253, is
amended to read as follows:
ENR. H. B. NO. 2648 Page 2
Section 253. A. Except as provided in subsection B of th is
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.
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 effective November 1, 2021.
ENR. H. B. NO. 2648 Page 3
Passed the House of Representatives the 3rd day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 20th day of April, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: __________________ _______________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________