On Tuesday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed HB542, the New Hampshire Religious Liberty Act (full text). The law provides in part:
[D]uring a state of emergency, the state government shall permit a religious organization to continue operating and to engage in religious services to the same or greater extent that other organizations or businesses that provide essential services that are necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public are permitted to operate.
Under the statute, the state may still require religious organizations to comply with neutral health, safety, or occupancy requirements, but must meet a strict scrutiny test if the requirement imposes a substantial burden on a religious service.
AP reports on the new law, which takes effect in 60 days.
