A. This article shall be construed in favor of a broad protection of the free exercise of religion.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 41-1495.03

  • Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Arizona Laws 1-215

B. The protection of the free exercise of religion afforded by this article is in addition to the protections provided under federal law, state law and the constitutions of the United States and Arizona. This article does not preempt or repeal any state or local law that is equally or more protective of the free exercise of religion. This article does not narrow the meaning or application of any state or local law protecting the free exercise of religion.

C. This article applies to all state and local laws and ordinances and the implementation of those laws and ordinances, whether statutory or otherwise and whether adopted before or after September 24, 2022. State laws enacted after September 24, 2022 are subject to this article unless the law explicitly excludes application by reference to this article.

D. If any provision of this article or any application of the provision to any particular person or circumstance is held to be invalid under law, the remainder of this article and the application of its provisions to any other person or circumstance may not be affected.