R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-80.1-3

Religious freedom protected

Known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act

The act spans §§ 42-80.1-1 to 42-80.1-4 (4 sections).

Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case Combs v. Homer-Center School District (2008)

Most recently applied in 88 F. Supp. 3d 34 - Devaney v. Kilmartin (February 2015)

P.L. 1993, ch. 230, § 1.

(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.

Official source: Rhode Island General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Rhode Island statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.