Yesterday (Tuesday), Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill geared toward preserving religious liberties in the state, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The bill, inspired by legislation passed by Congress three decades ago, seeks to protect individuals’ rights to practice their faith without interference. Reynolds says, “Thirty years ago, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed almost unanimously at the federal level. Since then, religious rights have increasingly come under attack. Today, Iowa enacts a law to protect these unalienable rights—just as twenty-six other states have done—upholding the ideals that are the very foundation of our country.” Supporters of the law argue that it reaffirms fundamental principles upon which the nation was founded, while critics express concerns about potential implications for other civil liberties. The bill’s full text is included below.
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