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HB 356

Human Relations - Protection of the Free Exercise of Religion

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Rosenberg and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland bill strengthens religious exercise protections against government restrictions, potentially raising the legal bar for state policies affecting religious practice and organizations.

Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 356

Legislative bill overview

HB 356 seeks to strengthen protections for the free exercise of religion in Maryland by establishing or expanding legal safeguards against government restrictions on religious practice. The bill appears designed to provide individuals and religious organizations with enhanced defenses against state actions that burden religious exercise, potentially creating new standards for how government policies affecting religion are evaluated.

Why is this important

Religious freedom protections directly affect millions of Marylanders' ability to practice their faith according to their beliefs. The bill's outcome could influence how courts and agencies balance religious liberty claims against other state interests (public health, civil rights, education policy), affecting everything from workplace accommodations to healthcare decisions to religious organization operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "free exercise": Disagreement over whether protections extend to indirect burdens on religion or only direct prohibitions, and whether they apply equally to all belief systems
  • Balancing with other rights: Tension between religious exercise protections and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, LGBTQ+ protections, and other civil rights statutes
  • Government interest standards: Whether the bill requires government to meet strict scrutiny, compelling interest tests, or less demanding standards when policies affect religious practice

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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