Written by Don Byrd
The Indiana House of Representatives voted 63-31 to approve a bill modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) law. RFRA laws generally allow the state to substantially burden a person’s religious exercise only when necessary to achieve a compelling government interest. 19 states currently have RFRA laws on the books and several states are currently considering adding or amending similar laws. See the State RFRA Bill Tracker for details and updates.
As the Indianapolis Star reports, the version that passed today is slightly different from its Senate passage earlier:
A House committee last week amended the bill to exempt employers from any lawsuits brought by employees under the legislation.
The bill’s author, Sen. Dennis Kruse, could concur with the House version as early as this week, sending it to Pence for his signature. He could also try to negotiate differences with House sponsors, in which case both chambers would have to vote on last time on the bill’s final version.
Stay tuned.
