(a)  Except as provided for in subsection (b), a governmental authority may not restrict a person‘s free exercise of religion.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-80.1-3

  • Governmental authority: means any department, agency, commission, committee, board, council, bureau or authority or any subdivision of state or municipal government. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-80.1-2
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(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.