§ 16-123-605 — Rules of construction

(a) This subchapter shall be construed in favor of a broad protection of free exercise of religious beliefs, to the maximum extent permitted by the Arkansas Constitution and the United States Constitution. (b) (1) The protection of free exercise of religious beliefs and moral convictions afforded by this subchapter is in addition to the protections provided under federal law, state law, the Arkansas Constitution, and the United States Constitution. (2) This subchapter does not: (A) Preempt or repeal any state or local law that is equally or more protective of free exercise of religious beliefs or moral convictions; (B) Narrow the meaning or application of any state or local law protecting free exercise of religious beliefs; or (C) Prevent state government from providing, either directly or through an individual or entity not seeking protection under this subchapter, any benefit or service authorized under state law. (c) This subchapter applies to, and in cases of conflict supersedes, each: (1) Statute of the state that impinges upon the free exercise of religious beliefs protected by this subchapter, unless a conflicting statute is expressly made exempt from the application of this subchapter; and (2) Any ordinance, rule, regulation, order, opinion, decision, practice, or other exercise of state government's authority that impinges upon the free exercise of religious beliefs protected by this subchapter. (d) If any provision of this subchapter or any application of a provision of this subchapter to any particular person or circumstance is held to be invalid under law, the remainder of this subchapter and the application of this subchapter's provisions to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 733,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2023.