Rhode Island

Rhode Island has enacted RFRA legislation as of 1993.

Rhode Island Enacted RFRA Legislation (Enacted: July 22, 1993)

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-80.1-1 to -4 (1998)

§ 42-80.1-1 Short title. – This chapter shall be known as the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act”.

History of Section. (P.L. 1993, ch. 230, § 1.)

§ 42-80.1-2 Definitions. – As used in this chapter:

“Governmental authority” means any department, agency, commission, committee, board, council, bureau or authority or any subdivision of state or municipal government.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1993, ch. 230, § 1.)

§ 42-80.1-3 Religious freedom protected. – (a) Except as provided for in subsection (b), a governmental authority may not restrict a person’s free exercise of religion.
(b) A governmental authority may restrict a person’s free exercise of religion only if:

(1) The restriction is in the form of a rule of general applicability, and does not intentionally discriminate against religion, or among religions; and
(2) The governmental authority proves that application of the restriction to the person is essential to further a compelling governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

History of Section. (P.L. 1993, ch. 230, § 1.)

§ 42-80.1-4 Remedies. – In any civil action alleging a violation of this chapter, the court may:

(1) Afford injunctive and declaratory relief against any governmental authority which commits a proposes to commit a violation of this chapter, and;
(2) Award a prevailing plaintiff damages.

History of Section. (P.L. 1993, ch. 230, § 1.)

2015 Pending RFRA Legislation

No Pending Bills as of January 2015.

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