Arizona Lawmakers Seek to Broaden State RFRA

Written by Don Byrd
Arizona’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has been law for several years. The state’s RFRA echoes the federal bill of the same name, requiring the government to demonstrate a compelling state interest to justify substantial burdens on religious exercise. Some lawmakers in Arizona have decided that high standard of scrutiny does not go far enough in protecting free exercise. SB 1178 as passed by the House alters the definitions to many important words and phrases in RFRA.