The Florida Senate

761.03  Free exercise of religion protected.--

(1)  The government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that government may substantially burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person:

(a)  Is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and

(b)  Is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

(2)  A person whose religious exercise has been burdened in violation of this section may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief.

History.--s. 3, ch. 98-412.