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§ 253. Burden upon free exercise of religion

Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedTitle 51. OfficersEffective: November 1, 2021

Oklahoma Statutes Annotated
Title 51. Officers (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 5. Governmental Tort Claims Act (Refs & Annos)
Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act
Effective: November 1, 2021
51 Okl.St.Ann. § 253
§ 253. Burden upon free exercise of religion
Currentness
<Text as amended by Laws 2021, c. 221, § 1. See also, text as amended by Laws 2021, c. 235, § 1 and Laws 2023, c. 189, § 1. >
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.
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 Code shall be considered a substantial burden even if the order or rule is one of general applicability.

Credits

Laws 2000, c. 272, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2000; Laws 2021, c. 221, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
51 Okl. St. Ann. § 253, OK ST T. 51 § 253
Current with emergency effective legislation through Chapter 257 of the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature (2024). Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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