Wyoming Joins Religious Freedom Movement
Wyoming has become the latest state to pass its own version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with Republican Governor Mark Gordon signing House Bill 207 into law on Thursday. The bill passed in the Wyoming House of Representatives with a 57-3 vote and in the Senate with a 28-3 vote, both of which are controlled by Republicans. The vote saw mostly Republican support, with opposition mainly from Democrats, though one House Republican joined Democrats in opposing the bill and three Senate Democrats voted in favor.
The Wyoming version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act mirrors the federal law of the same name. The law stipulates that state actions cannot substantially burden an individual’s right to practice their religion unless it can be shown that such a burden is necessary to further a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means to achieve that goal.
The act provides examples of what may be considered a “burden” on religious practice, including the denial of benefits, criminal or civil penalties, exclusion from government programs, or denial of access to government facilities. It applies to all state and local laws, policies, and regulations, regardless of when they were adopted.
A key provision of the bill allows individuals who believe their religious practices have been significantly burdened to seek relief through the courts. The law is set to go into effect on July 1. Greg Chafuen, a senior counsel at the religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the law, stating that it provides a fair process for individuals to challenge government policies that infringe on religious freedoms.
Wyoming joins 28 other states, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Texas, and Virginia, that have enacted their own versions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.