TLRC position
Support
2023 · Marriage · Religious Liberty
Protect religious liberty for ministers and elected officials.
HB 0878 / SB 0596
Bill description
Marriage - As introduced, states that a person is not required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person's conscience or religious beliefs.
Marriage - As introduced, states that a person is not required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person's conscience or religious beliefs.
Bill sponsors
TLRC statement
States that a person is not required to solemnize a marriage.
This bill, if passed, will defend the religious liberty of those who perform marriage ceremonies in the state of Tennessee, by protecting them from being forced by law to perform a ceremony that falls outside their religious beliefs. Individuals should have the ability to object to participating in a marriage ceremony without fear of reprisal.
While this bill fundamentally defends religious liberty, the language would allow an individual to object to solemnizing a marriage on any grounds, not just a religious basis.