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Senate approves measure clarifying religious practices for Native American inmates in state facilities
Summary
Senate adopted amendments to SB 128 clarifying that Native American inmates in non-maximum-security settings may access sweat lodges and religious practices while clarifying the statute does not require permitting peyote; the amended bill passed to third reading (26–0).
Senate Bill 128, which codifies and clarifies access for Native American inmates to certain religious practices in state correctional facilities, moved forward after adopted amendments that narrow and clarify access.
Senator Demetriuk offered a set of clarifying amendments: they specify that access to sweat lodges and ceremonial practices may be denied for maximum-security inmates where permitting access would threaten facility security, and explicitly state the section "may not be construed as requiring state correctional facilities to permit access to peyote by a Native American inmate." The sponsor said the bill places into statute practices already followed by correctional facilities, restores consideration for long hair under the 1993 Supreme Court ruling and adds registry/verification language so that claims of Native American status are verified.
The Senate adopted the amendments by voice vote and then passed SB 128 as amended by roll call, 26 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent, sending it to the third‑reading calendar. Sponsors said the bill balances religious freedom and security concerns and clarifies who qualifies for the accommodations.
