JACKSON, MS – Liberty Counsel supports the Religious Liberty Accommodations Act that was overwhelmingly passed 31-17 by the Mississippi Senate Wednesday evening. HB 1523 protects natural persons, pastors, and closely held corporations from discrimination by the state or state agencies, due to sincerely held religious beliefs or convictions.

The bill includes marriage-related industries, adoptions, churches and pastors, businesses with private facilities like restrooms and lockers, employer grooming standards, expressive activity of state employees, and permits clerks and others to recuse themselves from performing marriages or issuing licenses.

“The Religious Liberty Accommodations Act is a positive step toward protecting the constitutional rights of pastors and religious organizations,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “I encourage Governor Bryant to sign the bill. We must protect the religious freedoms of all people,” Staver said.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.