Bill Text: VA SB41 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Religious freedom; marriage solemnization, participation, and beliefs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2016-04-20 - Requires 26 affirmative votes to pass in enrolled form [SB41 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-SB41-Prefiled.html
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16101522D Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 57-2.03 as follows: §57-2.03. Religious freedom; solemnization of marriage. A. No person authorized to perform a marriage ceremony pursuant to Chapter 2 (§20-13 et seq.) of Title 20 shall be required to solemnize any marriage, and no religious organization, organization supervised or controlled by or operated in connection with a religious organization, individual employed by a religious organization while acting in the scope of his employment, or clergy member or minister shall be required to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization of any marriage if the action would cause the individual or organization to violate a sincerely held religious belief. B. A refusal to solemnize a marriage or provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges under subsection A shall not give rise to civil or criminal liability or any other action by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision to penalize or withhold benefits or privileges, including tax exemptions or governmental contracts, grants, or licenses, from any individual or organization listed in subsection A. |
