Ducey on Monday approved HB 2507, a sweeping religious freedom bill that outlaws "discriminatory" government action against churches and other faith-based institutions due to religion, religious expression, or for seeking to operate in a state of emergency, such as a pandemic.

The law declares religious services "essential," adding that the state must allow religious organizations to operate during emergencies "to the same or greater extent as other organizations or businesses that provide essential services and that are necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public."

RELATED: Arizona gov. signs bills banning transgender surgeries for minors, males in girls' sports

Faith-based entities may still be required "to comply with neutral health, safety, or occupancy requirements" that also apply to secular institutions deemed essential.

But the state cannot enforce any health, safety, or occupancy rule that "imposes a substantial burden on a religious service" without showing that the measure is "essential to further a compelling government interest" and is the least restrictive means of doing so.

The text of the law emphasizes that it "shall be construed in favor of a broad protection of the free exercise of religion," though it doesn't apply in cases based on criminal conduct. Religious organizations can sue for damages and legal fees over violations of the law.

State and local governments across the country have been taken to court throughout the COVID crisis for targeting faith-based groups with disproportionate pandemic orders. The Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down state-level COVID restrictions imposed on religious services as unconstitutional... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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