Arkansas Tops Religious Liberty Index at 89.2% After Sanders Expands Faith Protections
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Arkansas Tops Religious Liberty Index at 89.2% After Sanders Expands Faith Protections
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Summary
Arkansas earned the nation’s top religious-liberty ranking with an 89.2% score, becoming one of only two states to receive the index’s first-ever “excellent” rating.
The six-place jump was driven by laws signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, including Act 677, which bars state and local penalties over beliefs on marriage and biological sex.
A 2023 Conscience Protection Act also broadened Arkansas’ Religious Freedom Restoration Act by prohibiting state discrimination against religious organizations based on religious identity or status.
First Liberty Institute and project leaders said the result shows how states can expand protections across education, healthcare, family law and economic activity, and urged other states to follow Arkansas’ model.