Protect Thy Neighbor is monitoring and fighting bills across the country that would allow individuals, businesses, and government employees to harm others in the name of religion. The most common bills would allow discrimination against LGBTQ Americans and deny access to reproductive healthcare, but these bills have other negative and far reaching consequences as well. You can learn more about the bills that have been introduced in your state below.
To find out what happened in prior years, visit our Legislation Archive »
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACTS
These bills would create or expand a state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. RFRAs authorize religious exemptions to each and every state law on the books. If any state law or policy is deemed to place a “substantial burden” on the religious beliefs of a person (and often even a for-profit corporation), the state must show that it has a “compelling interest” and that the law is “narrowly tailored” to fulfilling that interest. Although RFRAs were originally intended to protect genuine religious freedom, many states are now adopting RFRAs in order to override nondiscrimination laws and deny women reproductive healthcare. For more on RFRA, including talking points on why states shouldn't adopt Indiana-like RFRAs or replicate the federal RFRA, please check out our RFRA page.
Bill Status Senate Committee hearing set for February 4, 2019, no hearing held
Bill Type Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Bill Text Here
Our View Talking points sent to legislators urging them to reject SB 221
Bill Status Passed Senate Committee on March 6, 2019
Bill Type Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Bill Text Here
Bill Status SB 240 Passed Senate Subcommittee on February 19, 2019
Bill Type Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Bill Text Here
FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE ACTS
Also known as FADAs, these are based on a federal bill that would allow private businesses, federal contractors and grantees, and even government employees to discriminate against same-sex couples, unmarried couples, people who have remarried, single mothers, those who have had sex outside of marriage, and others. Some state bills are narrower or broader than the federal FADA; however, all of these bills seek to sanction discrimination, allowing individuals and entities to ignore laws that conflict with their religious beliefs about marriage. See more about FADAs here.
Bill Status Postponed indefinitely by House Committee on February 12, 2019
Bill Type State FADA
Bill Text Not yet released
Bill Status Introduced on February 26, 2019
Bill Type State FADA, Healthcare, Adoption, Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status House Committee hearing set for April 18, 2019; no vote
Bill Type State FADA
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to the House State Affairs Committee urging members to oppose HB 1035
Bill Status HB 3172 returned to committee on Point of Order on May 9, 2019; SB 1978 Sent to Governor on May 25, 2019
Bill Type State FADA
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to the House State Affairs Committee urging members to oppose HB 3172
MARRIAGE
These bills would allow or even require government employees, for-profit business, or government contractors and grantees to discriminate against same-sex couples who are married or seeking to marry. Find out more about this issue on our marriage page.
Government Employee: These bills would allow government employees and officials to withhold marriage licenses, refuse to solemnize weddings, or otherwise block recognition of some or all marriages. Check out our talking points here.
Bill Status Introduced on January 31, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Introduced on February 4, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act)
Bill Text Not available
Bill Status Introduced on February 22, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here
Pastor Protection Acts: Generally, these bills prohibit the state from requiring clergy and religious institutions to perform marriages for same-sex or other couples if such marriages conflict with their religious beliefs. Some Pastor Protection Acts, however, are more expansive and would also allow commercial entities owned or run by religious organizations to refuse to provide any wedding related services to couples whose marriage conflicts with their religious beliefs. See more about clergy and marriage equality here.
Bill Status Introduced on January 31, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Introduced on February 4, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act)
Bill Text Not available
Bill Status Introduced on February 22, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here
Nullification Of Marriage Equality: These bills would defy the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution by declaring that the state will recognize only marriages between one man and one woman.
Bill Status Introduced on March 8, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Nullification Of Marriage Equality)
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Referred to House Committee on February 13, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Nullification Of Marriage Equality)
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Referred to House Committee on February 13, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Nullification Of Marriage Equality)
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Joint Committee hearing set for both bills on March 25, 2019, no vote held
Bill Type Marriage (Nullification Of Marriage Equality)
Bill Text Here
Adoption
These bills would allow government-funded agencies to deprive children of safe, loving, and happy families in order to facilitate religion-based discrimination against families with LGBTQ or single parents. Check out our talking points here.
Bill Status Dead
Bill Type Adoption
Bill Text Here
Our View Read our letter to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary urging them to reject SB 352
Bill Status Introduced on February 26, 2019
Bill Type State FADA, Healthcare, Adoption, Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status HB 836 passed House vote on April 1, 2019 / SB 1304 passed Senate Committee vote on April 23, 2019; carried over to 2020
Bill Type Adoption
Bill Text Here
Our View Tennesseans, urge your state legislators to reject discrimination against kids & families!
Bill Status Carried over to 2020
Bill Type Adoption
Bill Text Here
Our View Tennesseans, urge your state legislators to reject discrimination against kids & families!
Healthcare
These bills would allow individuals or businesses to withhold healthcare and health insurance from certain patients (most often LGBTQ and women patients) or for certain services and products (most often related to reproductive health). Find out more about this issue on our healthcare page.
Bill Status Introduced on February 26, 2019
Bill Type State FADA, Healthcare, Adoption, Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status House Committee hearing held on May 24, 2019; no vote
Bill Type Healthcare
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Passed Senate on April 3, 2019
Bill Type Healthcare
Bill Text Here
Our View Read our letter to the Senate urging them to oppose SB 17
Bill Status SB 444 set for Senate Committee hearing on March 26, 2019 at 8 AM; no vote
Bill Type Healthcare
Bill Text Here
Student GROUPS
These bills would bar colleges and universities from enforcing nondiscrimination policies that apply to student religious clubs. Find out more about this issue on our student groups page.
Bill Status Passed Senate on February 14, 2019; Passed House Committee on March 18, 2019
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Bill Status HB 254 signed by the Governor on March 26, 2019
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to members of the House urging them to reject HB 254
Bill Status Passed House Higher Education Committee hearing on April 8, 2019; Passed House Rules Committee on May 6, 2019
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to the House Higher Education Committee urging members to reject HB 837
Bill Status Vetoed by Governor on May 7, 2019
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to House Judiciary Committee urging members to reject HB 735
Bill Status Referred to Senate Committee on December 12, 2018
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Bill Status House Committee hearing set for April 24, 2019; no vote
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Our View Letter to the House Higher Education Subcommittee urging members to reject HB 3099
Bill Status Passed House; Set for Senate Committee hearing on March 6, 2019 at 10 AM
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
Bill Status House Committee hearing set for February 25, 2019 at 12 PM, no vote held
Bill Type Student Groups
Bill Text Here
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
These bills would allow government employees or taxpayer-funded entities to discriminate against those they hire or serve, or to withhold certain services (such as reproductive care) even if otherwise required by law.
Bill Status Introduced on February 26, 2019
Bill Type State FADA, Healthcare, Adoption, Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Introduced on January 31, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here
Bill Status Introduced on February 22, 2019
Bill Type Marriage (Pastor Protection Act and Government Employee), Government Services
Bill Text Here