2015 Bills

Types of bills:

Religious Freedom Restoration Acts

Allow lawsuits against any governmental policy, such as nondiscrimination laws, that substantially burdens someone’s religious beliefs. The government must prove that enforcing the policy is the least restrictive way of furthering a compelling governmental interest.

State Bill Number Status AR HB 1228 3/27/2015: Dead AR SB 975 4/2/2015: Became Law CO HB 1171 3/9/2015: Dead GA HB 29 4/2/2014: Dead GA HB 218 4/2/2015: Dead GA SB 129 4/2/2015: Dead HI HB 1160 5/7/2015: Dead IN HB 1632 2/25/2015: Dead IN SB 101 3/26/2015: Became Law IN SB 568 2/25/2015: Dead ME LD 1340 4/16/2015: Dead MI SB 4 1/20/2015: Introduced MT HB 615 3/27/2015: Dead NC HB 348 9/30/2015: Dead NC SB 550 9/30/2015: Dead NV AB 277 4/10/2015: Dead NV SB 272 4/10/2015: Dead OK SB 723 2/26/2015: Dead SD HB 1220 2/24/2015: Dead TX HJR 55 6/1/2015: Dead TX HJR 125 6/1/2015: Dead TX SJR 10 6/1/2015: Dead UT HB 322 3/12/2015: Dead WV HB 2508 3/1/2015: Dead WV HB 2830 3/1/2015: Dead WV SB 487 3/1/2015: Dead WY HB 83 3/3/2015: Dead

Marriage Refusals

These bills allow different kinds of refusals regarding marriage. They vary from state to state, but in general, do one or more of the following: Allow certain people authorized by the state, such as magistrates, judges, clerks and/or clergy, to refuse to perform marriages and/or issue marriage licenses. Other bills attempt to override the federal courts' constitutional decisions on marriage for same-sex couples. Other bills allow individuals, businesses and/or religious organizations to refuse to provide goods and services relating to marriage, and/or refuse to treat marriages as valid based on their religious beliefs. Some of these bills target same sex couples, others would allow a refusal to act as to any kind of marriage.

State Bill Number Status AL HB 56 6/4/2015: Dead AR HB 1879 3/27/2015: Dead IL SB 2164 7/28/2015: Introduced LA HB 707 5/20/2015: Dead MO HB 1337 5/15/2015: Dead MO SB 555 5/15/2015: Dead MN SF 2158 5/18/2015: Dead NC SB 2 6/11/2015: Became Law OK HB 1371 3/12/2015: Dead OK HB 1597 2/26/2015: Dead OK HB 1599 3/12/2015: Dead OK SB 440 2/26/2015: Dead OK SB 478 2/26/2015: Dead SC HB 3022 6/4/2015: Dead SC HB 3150 6/4/2015: Dead SC SB 116 6/4/2015: Dead TX HB 623 6/1/2015: Dead TX HB 3567 6/1/2015: Dead TX HB 3602 6/1/2015: Dead TX SB 1799 6/1/2015: Dead UT HJR 5 3/12/2015: Dead UT HB 66 3/12/2015: Dead UT SB 297 3/20/2015: Became Law

Adoption & Foster Care

Adoption and foster care agencies could refuse to provide any adoption services that would conflict with the sincerely held religious beliefs of the agency, regardless of the best interests of the children in their care.

State Bill Number Status AL HB 296 6/3/2015: Dead AL SB 261 6/4/2015: Dead FL HB 7111 5/2/2015: Dead MI HB 4188 6/11/2015: Became Law MI HB 4189 6/11/2015: Became Law MI HB 4190 6/11/2015: Became Law TX HB 3864 6/1/2015: Dead

Access to Health Services

Legislation would allow those with religious objections to undermine professional standards that apply equally to everyone. For instance, a high school guidance counselor could refuse to counsel a gay teenager, citing their sincerely held religious beliefs.

State Bill Number Status TN HB 566 4/22/2015: Dead TN SB 397 4/22/2015: Dead VA HB 1414 2/10/2015: Dead

Colleges & University Student Groups

Requires public colleges and universities to give benefits, including access to funding and the use of facilities, to student organizations even if the organization discriminates based on their religious beliefs.

State Bill Number Status CA AB 1212 4/21/2015: Dead CO HB 1037 2/9/2015: Dead KS SB 175 6/12/2015: Dead MO HB 104 5/15/2015: Dead MO SB 248 5/15/2015: Dead MS HB 851 2/3/2015: Dead

Government Contractors

Contractors that discriminate in hiring, even in defiance of existing state policies, are entitled to government contracts.

State Bill Number Status IN SB 127 4/29/2015: Dead VA HB 1409 2/10/2015: Dead

Other Anti-LGBT Backlash Legislation

Other laws have been introduced as backlash to gains in equality for LGBT people. These include laws allowing businesses to discriminate, a proposal to eliminate marriage licenses altogether, and laws that would ban local nondiscrimination ordinances.