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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021)
SENATE BILL 216 By: Burns
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Religious Freedom
Act; amending 51 O.S. 2011, Section 253, which
relates to burden upon free exercise of religion;
establishing certain actions by government entities
against religious institutions as a substantial
burden on the free exercise of religion ; prohibiting
restricted access to certain facilities; and
providing an effective date.
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:
Section 253. A. Except as provided in subsection B of this
section, no governmental entity shall substa ntially burden a
person’s free exercise of religion even if the burden results from a
rule of general applicabil ity.
B. No governmental entity shall substantially burden a person ’s
free exercise of rel igion unless it demonstrates that application of
the burden to the person is:
1. Essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and
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2. The least restricti ve means of furthering that compelling
governmental interest.
C. The closure of a religious institution or the declaration of
a religious institution as nonessential by a governmental entity as
defined pursuant to Section 252 of this title shall be deemed a
substantial burden on the free exercise of religion that is not the
least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental
interest. A government entity shall not restrict access to
religious facilities or gatherings as long as such institutions are
not engaged in illegal acti vities.
SECTION 2. This act shall becom e effective November 1, 2021.
58-1-975 TEK 12/31/2020 12:03:06 PM