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Judiciary committee hears HB 620 to codify strict‑scrutiny test for religious exercise; supporters cite state precedent, municipal group raises concerns
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee considered HB 620, a bill to codify a "compelling interest / least restrictive means" test for burdens on religious exercise into New Hampshire law.
House Bill 620 would add state statutory language mirroring the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and require government actions that substantially burden religious exercise be justified by a compelling state interest that is pursued by the least restrictive means.
Representative Daniel Popovich Mueller, a co‑sponsor, said the measure is "bipartisan" and seeks to place the compelling‑interest standard into state law rather than relying solely on court precedent. "I've never found it to be good practice to rely on court precedence when legislation would do a better job," he said.
Lance Kinzer of First Amendment Partnership — who helped craft…
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