Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has issued Executive Order No. 733 (Jan. 20, 2023) requiring the executive branch of state government to enforce the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment to the greatest extent practicable. The Order sets out specific religious freedom protections for state licensees, contractors, grant recipients, recipients of government benefits and state employees. Among other non-discrimination and free exercise protections, the Order provides:
A state executive-branch agency shall protect the religious-exercise rights of current or prospective licensees (i.e., any person or entity authorized or seeking to be authorized to engage in any profession, trade, business, or activity that requires state government licensure, certification, permitting, chartering, or other formal permission)...
The agency shall not require a current or prospective contractor or grant recipient to alter aspects of its religious character as a condition of receiving or maintaining a contract or grant unless strictly necessary to further a compelling governmental interest.
The state issued a press release announcing the signing of the Executive Order.
