Written by Don Byrd
According to the Kentucky Legislature website (and LegiScan), a religious freedom bill that recently passed the House was passed with Floor Amendment 2, which added one important word to the legislation: “substantial.” The version that came out of committee required a compelling government interest for any burden on religious exercise. Amendment 2 changed that, leaving that high level of scrutiny only for “substantial burdens” on religious exercise.
As I wrote last week following the committee’s action, the addition of that word is important.
If I am reading the legislative history correctly, the House version sent to the Senate does include that important amendment.
[UPDATE: The bill has passed the Senate and is on to Governor Beshear for his signature.]
