HB0207

Creates the Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect individuals and entities from state actions that burden religious exercise without a compelling governmental interest.

• Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as Wyoming law and provides definitions for key terms including 'burden,' 'exercise of religion,' 'compelling governmental interest,' 'person,' and 'state action.' (W.S. 9-25-101, W.S. 9-25-102)
• Prohibits state action from burdening a person's right to exercise religion unless the burden is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. (W.S. 9-25-103(a))
• Applies the act to all state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies adopted before, on, or after the effective date. (W.S. 9-25-103(b))
• Allows persons whose religious exercise has been or is likely to be burdened in violation of the act to assert the violation as a claim or defense in judicial or administrative proceedings, whether or not the state or political subdivision is a party. (W.S. 9-25-104)
• Permits persons asserting claims or defenses under the act to obtain appropriate relief including injunctive relief, declaratory relief, compensatory damages, costs, and attorney fees. (W.S. 9-25-104)
• Makes governmental entities liable for damages resulting from violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (W.S. 1-39-124)

Effective: July 1, 2025

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