Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act

An organization I have worked for as a paid intern and volunteered for for almost two decades is running a governor candidate in Wyoming. Here’s the state RFRA.

9-29-101.  Religious Freedom Restoration Act; short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

History

2025 ch. 122, § 1, effective July 1, 2025.

9-29-102.  Definitions.

(a)  As used in this act:

(i)  “Burden” means any action that, either directly or indirectly, constrains, inhibits, curtails or denies the exercise of religion including, but not limited to:

(A)  Withholding of benefits;

(B)  Assessing criminal, civil or administrative penalties;

(C)  Exclusion from governmental programs; or

(D)  Denial of access to governmental facilities.

(ii)  “Compelling governmental interest” means a governmental interest of the highest order that cannot otherwise be achieved without burdening the exercise of religion;

(iii)  “Exercise of religion” means the practice or observance of religion, including an act or refusal to act, that is substantially motivated by a sincerely held religious belief, whether or not compelled by or central to a system of religious belief;

(iv)  “Person” means any natural person, association, partnership, corporation, religious institution or other legal entity;

(v)  “State action” means the implementation or application of any law, including but not limited to state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies, whether statutory or otherwise, or action by the state or a political subdivision, local government, municipality, instrumentality or public official authorized by law in the state of Wyoming;

(vi)  “This act” means W.S. 9-29-101 through 9-29-104.

History

2025 ch. 122, § 1, effective July 1, 2025.

9-29-103.  Limitation on state action; exception.

(a)  State action shall not substantially burden a person’s right to the exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden to that person’s exercise of religion in that particular instance is:

(i)  Essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and

(ii)  The least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

(b)  This act shall apply to all state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies, and their implementation, whether statutory or otherwise and whether adopted before, on or after the effective date of this act.

History

2025 ch. 122, § 1, effective July 1, 2025.

9-29-104.  Claims.

A person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened or is likely to be substantially burdened in violation of this act may assert the violation or impending violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the state or one (1) of its political subdivisions is a party to the proceeding.  The person asserting the claim or defense may obtain appropriate relief, including injunctive relief and declaratory relief.

History

2025 ch. 122, § 1, effective July 1, 2025