SSB 6239 -
By Senators Fain, Hill, Hatfield, Haugen
ADOPTED 02/01/2012
On page 2, after line 16, insert the following:
"(4) No regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest,
imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization is
required to solemnize or recognize any marriage. A regularly licensed
or ordained minister or priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any
religious organization shall be immune from any civil claim or cause of
action based on a refusal to solemnize or recognize any marriage under
this section. No state agency or local government may base a decision
to penalize, withhold benefits from, or refuse to contract with any
religious organization on the refusal of a person associated with such
religious organization to solemnize or recognize a marriage under this
section.
(5) No religious organization is required to provide
accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods
related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage.
(6) A religious organization shall be immune from any civil claim
or cause of action, including a claim pursuant to chapter 49.60 RCW,
based on its refusal to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages,
privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or
celebration of a marriage.
(7) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Recognize" means to provide religious-based services that:
(i) Are delivered by a religious organization, or by an individual
who is managed, supervised, or directed by a religious organization;
and
(ii) Are designed for married couples or couples engaged to marry
and are directly related to solemnizing, celebrating, strengthening, or
promoting a marriage, such as religious counseling programs, courses,
retreats, and workshops; and
(b) "Religious organization" includes, but is not limited to,
churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, nondenominational ministries,
interdenominational and ecumenical organizations, mission
organizations, faith-based social agencies, and other entities whose
principal purpose is the study, practice, or advancement of religion."
On page 3, at the beginning of line 8, strike "(1)"
On page 3, beginning on line 16, strike all of subsection (2)
On page 4, beginning on line 9, strike all of section 7
Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
SSB 6239 -
By Senators Fain, Hill, Hatfield, Haugen
ADOPTED 02/01/2012
On page 1, line 5 of the title, strike "adding new sections" and insert "adding a new section"