Stitt signed a bill that passed through the Senate to better protect the religious freedoms of Oklahomans. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, carried the bill in the Senate protecting churches.

“During the pandemic, churches were deemed nonessential, and closures were recommended,” Bullard said. “This bill will protect our houses of worship.”

House Bill 2648 creates the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, deeming any order or rule issued by any governmental entity pursuant to an emergency that requires closure of places of worship as a substantial burden even if the order or rule is one of general applicability. Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, is the principal House author.

“As someone whose faith is integral to my life, it broke my heart to see stories about people in other areas of the country who were unable to worship as they wanted due to overreaching bureaucratic infringement of their First Amendment rights,” Hill said. “Like the majority of Oklahomans, my faith is as essential as the food I eat or the air I breathe, and I’m grateful my colleagues bravely stood up today for our freedom of religion.”      

The bill moves to the governor’s desk.