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R.I.
Gen. Laws § 42-80.1
Rhode
Island Religious Freedom Amendment
§
42-80.1-1 Short title. – This chapter shall be known
as the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act"
§
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.
§
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.
§
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.
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