TX Leads Nine States Supporting Religious Liberties In 5th Circuit Filing

AUSTIN –Leading a coalition of nine states, Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, challenging a court ruling against Mississippi’s religious freedom law.

The Mississippi law protects citizens from government discrimination for living their lives consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions.

A U.S. District Court judge stopped Mississippi from enforcing the law shortly before it was to take effect on July 1.

“The law in Mississippi simply affirms what the U.S. Supreme Court professed in Obergefell: that religious men and women be ‘given proper protection’ to exercise their faith,” Attorney General Paxton said.

“Americans have the right to peacefully live and work according to their deeply held beliefs, in accordance with the religious freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. We look forward to the Fifth Circuit upholding this religious liberty protection on appeal,” Paxton continued. 

Mississippi’s Religious Liberty Accommodations Act reinforces existing religious freedom rights, does not limit any constitutionally protected rights or actions, and does not challenge federal law.

Among other things, the law protects the freedom of conscience for state employees who may refuse to license marriages, and for individuals who decline to provide certain medical services.

In addition to Texas, the other states who joined the amicus brief are Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah, along with Maine Governor Paul LePage.

Click here to view the amicus brief.