The bill amends Arkansas law concerning religious nondiscrimination by explicitly prohibiting government discrimination against religious organizations based on their religious identity or conduct. It also protects individuals and organizations from being discriminated against due to their beliefs about marriage and biological sex. The legislation ensures that individuals cannot be compelled to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs, nor can they be punished for declining to engage in conduct that conflicts with those beliefs. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to beliefs about biological sex and marriage, and it outlines the conditions under which the state government may not revoke or deny licenses, certifications, or degrees based on an individual's religious beliefs.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the state government cannot take discriminatory actions against individuals or organizations based on their beliefs regarding marriage or biological sex, including decisions related to employment or the provision of services. It allows state employees with authority over marriage licensing to recuse themselves from performing marriages that conflict with their beliefs without facing discrimination. The legislation emphasizes that access to constitutional rights should not be unduly burdened by such recusal requests, thereby reinforcing protections for individuals acting in accordance with their religious convictions.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1615 Original - 2-27-2025 01:14 PM: 16-123-601, 16-123-602(1), 16-123-602, 16-123-603
Old version HB1615 V2 - 3-5-2025 10:31 AM: 16-123-601, 03-05-2025, 16-123-602(1), 16-123-602, 16-123-603
Old version HB1615 V3 - 3-11-2025 10:09 AM: 16-123-601, 03-11-2025, 16-123-602(1), 16-123-602, 16-123-603
Old version HB1615 V4 - 3-12-2025 12:11 PM: 16-123-601, 16-123-602(1), 03-12-2025, 16-123-602
Old version HB1615 V5 - 3-31-2025 11:34 AM: 16-123-601, 16-123-602(1), 03-31-2025, 16-123-602
HB 1615: 16-123-601, 16-123-602(1), 16-123-602, 16-123-603
Act 677: 16-123-601, 16-123-602(1), 03-31-2025, 16-123-602