Index
Mississippi Religious Liberty Accommodations Act (HB 1523)
Summary
HB 1523 legally protects businesses, religious organizations, and state employees from being punished or sued if they refuse to provide services to LGBTQ+ individuals based on three specific religious beliefs.
Rights & Rules
- 01.The law exclusively protects three specific religious beliefs: (1) Marriage is only between a man and a woman, (2) Sexual relations are reserved only for such a marriage, and (3) Gender is determined by anatomy at birth and cannot be changed.
- 02.A baker, photographer, or wedding venue can legally refuse to provide services for a same-sex wedding without facing discrimination lawsuits.
- 03.Religious adoption agencies can legally refuse to place children with same-sex couples.
- 04.A county clerk can refuse to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple, provided they take steps to ensure another clerk is available to issue it.
Penalties
- 01.This law is a 'shield' rather than a 'sword.' It creates an absolute defense against state discrimination lawsuits or the loss of state tax exemptions for those who refuse services based on these specific beliefs.
Verified Citations
Mississippi House Bill 1523 (2016)
Source"The state government shall not take any discriminatory action against a religious organization... on the basis that such organization... declines to solemnize any marriage, or to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization... of any marriage, based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief..."