House Bill 3233 Text

hb3233 intr H. B. 3233

(By Delegates Miley, Campbell, Shook,
Wooton, Hamilton and Ellem)
[Introduced March 19, 2009; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §1-7-1, §1-7-2, §1-7-3, §1-7-4, §1-7-5, §1-7-6 and §1-7-7, all relating to the freedom of religion of West Virginia.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §1-7-1, §1-7-2, §1-7-3, §1-7-4, §1-7-5, §1-7-6 and §1-7-7, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 7. WEST VIRGINIA RELIGIOUS RESTORATION FREEDOM ACT.

§1-7-1. Short title.
This article may be cited as the "West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act."
§1-7-2. Legislative findings and purpose.
(a) The Legislature finds that:
(1) The free exercise of religion is an unalienable right, protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and Section 3 through 15, Article III of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia;
(2) Laws that appear neutral toward religion may burden religious exercise as surely as laws intended to interfere with religious exercise;
(3) Government should not substantially burden religious exercise unless it is essential to further a compelling interest; and
(4) The compelling interest test set forth in prior state and federal court rulings is a workable test for striking sensible balances between religious liberty and competing prior governmental interests.
(b) Purposes:
(1) To require that the compelling interest test be applied as a guarantee in all cases where free exercise of religion is substantially burdened; and
(2) To provide a claim or defense to persons whose religious exercise is substantially burdened by government.
§1-7-3. Definitions.
As used in this article:
(a) "Demonstrates" means to meet the burden of clear and convincing evidence.
(b) "Exercise of religion" means:
(1) An act or refusal to act that is substantially motivated by a religious belief, whether or not the religious exercise is compulsory or central to a larger system of religious belief; or
(2) Exercise of religion under Article three, Section fifteen of the Constitution of West Virginia, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
(c) "Government" or "state" includes any branch, department, agency, instrumentality or subdivision of the state, county, special district or municipality, or any official or other person acting under color of law for the foregoing, but does not include any correctional facility or facility that treats civilly committed persons.
(d) "Prevails" means what is meant by 'prevailing party' status as defined by courts construing the federal Civil Rights Attorney Fees Awards Act of 1977, 42 U.S.C. §1988.
(e) "Substantially burden" means to inhibit or curtail religiously motivated practice.
§1-7-4. Freedom of religion protected.
(a) The government may not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person:
(1) Is essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and
(2) Is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
(b) A person whose religious exercise has been burdened in violation of this section may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain appropriate declaratory, injunctive and other nonmonetary relief.
§1-7-5. Attorney's fees and costs.
The prevailing plaintiff in any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of this article is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs to be paid by the government.
§1-7-6. Applicability.
(a) This article applies to all state law, and the implementation of that law, whether statutory, regulatory, or otherwise, and whether adopted before or after the enactment of this article.
(b) Acts of the West Virginia Legislature enacted after the date of the enactment of this article are subject to this article unless explicitly excluded by reference to this article.
(c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize the government to burden any religious belief.
(d) Nothing in this article shall be construed to affect, interpret, or in any way address that portion of Section 3 through 15, Article III of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia prohibiting laws respecting the establishment of religion.
(e) Nothing in this article shall create any rights by an employee against an employer if the employer is not a governmental agency.
(f) Nothing in this article shall be construed to affect, interpret, or in any way address that portion of Section 3 through 15, Article III of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States respecting the establishment of religion. This article may not be construed to permit any practice prohibited by those provisions.
(g) Nothing in this article shall prevent any governmental institution or facility from maintaining health, safety, security or discipline.
(h) The denial of government funds, benefits or exemptions may be construed as a substantial burden subject to the terms of this article.
(i) The granting of government funds, benefits or exemptions may not be construed as a substantial burden under this article.
§1-7-7. Appeal.
The decision of the circuit court to grant or deny declaratory or injunctive relief may be appealed by petition to the Supreme Court of Appeals.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prevent government sponsored interference with a West Virginian's guaranteed freedom of religion.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.