HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2493
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to religious organizations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 575-12.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  [A religious organization or nonprofit organization operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious organization that, pursuant to this section, fails or refuses to provide goods, services, or its facilities or grounds for the solemnization or celebration of a marriage shall be immune from any fine, penalty, injunction, administrative proceeding, or any other legal or administrative liability for the failure or refusal.] Any refusal to provide goods, services, facilities, or grounds in accordance with this section shall not create any civil claim or cause of action, or result in any state action, including any claim pursuant to chapter 489, to penalize or withhold benefits from a religious organization or nonprofit organization operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious organization."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect retroactive to December 2, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Religious Organizations; Services and Facilities; Civil Claims; Immunity

Description:

Immunizes religious organizations and nonprofit organizations operated, supervised, or controlled by religious organizations from civil claims related to any refusal to provide goods, services, or facilities for the solemnization or celebration of a marriage that is in violation of the organization's religious beliefs or faith.

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