ARIZONA 2022 Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
HB 2507, Chapter 181
AN ACT
Amending title 41, chapter 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 11; relating to civil rights.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
ARTICLE 11. RELIGION IS ESSENTIAL
41-1495. Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Criminal conduct" means any act, including all preparatory offenses, in violation of section 13-1103, 13-1104, 13-1105, 13-1202, 13-1203, 13-1204, 13-1208, 13-1304, 13-1404, 13-1405, 13-1406, 13-1410, 13-1417, 13-2314.04, 13-2915, 13-2916, 13-2921, 13-2921.01, 13-3019, 13-3552, 13-3553, 13-3554, 13-3601 or 13-3601.02.
2. "Discriminatory act" means any direct or indirect act or practice that adversely affects a religious organization, including exclusion, restriction, segregation, limitation, refusal or denial.
3. "Religious Organization" means:
(a) a house of worship.
(b) A religious group, corporation, association, educational institution, ministry, order, society or similar entity, regardless of whether it is integrated or affiliated with a church or other house of worship.
(c) an officer, owner, minister, manager, religious leader, clergyperson or employee of an entity or organization described in this paragraph.
4. "Religious services" means a meeting or assembly of two or more persons organized by a religious organization for the purpose of worship, training, providing educational services, conducting religious rituals or other activities that are deemed necessary by the religious organization for the exercise of religion.
5. "State Government" means:
(a) This State or a political subdivision of this State.
(b) any agency of this State or of a political subdivision of this State, including a department, bureau, board, commission, council, court or public institution of higher education.
(c) any person acting in an official capacity.
41-1495.01. Discriminatory action against religious organizations; prohibition
A. State government or any private person who sues under or attempts to enforce a law, rule or regulation that is adopted by this state or a political subdivision of this state may not take any discriminatory action against a religious organization on the basis that the organization:
1. Is religious.
2. operates or seeks to operate during a state of emergency.
3. Engages in the EXERCISE of religion as protected under the first amendment of the united states constitution.
B. During a state of emergency, religious services are DECLARED essential services and are deemed...
