Theocracy Watch Map

Church in public schools (4 of 4)

• Ten Commandments mandate (2025, in force). SB 10 (2025) requires a 16×20 in. display in every public school classroom. Enjoined Aug 2025, but the en banc Fifth Circuit reversed and upheld the law April 21, 2026. In effect. Families’ Supreme Court petition (filed Aug 2026) is pending. Source
• School chaplain law (2023, in force). SB 763 (2023) lets districts employ or accept volunteer chaplains in counselor-type roles with no state counselor certification. Most Texas districts declined. Source
• Mandated prayer/Bible-reading vote (2025, in force). SB 11 (2025) forced every district and charter to vote by March 1, 2026 on adopting a daily school-organized prayer and Bible-reading period. Parental waiver, not opt-in. About 15 of ~1,200 districts opted in. Source
• Bible-infused curriculum (2024, in force). ‘Bluebonnet Learning’ K-5 reading curriculum embeds Genesis, the Sermon on the Mount and the Prodigal Son. The Texas State Board of Education approved making Bible reading required for all public school students. Houston ISD adopted June 2026. Source
• Released-time mandate (2025, in force). SB 1049 (2025): districts ‘shall adopt a policy to excuse a student’ for off-campus religious instruction. Converts a permissive regime into a mandate. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2025, in force). SB 2 (2025) created a universal ESA; first awards May 2026. About 80% of participating private schools are religious. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, partly in force). Trigger ban effective Aug 2022 prohibits abortion at all stages; sole exception is risk to life or a major bodily function. No exceptions for rape, incest or fetal anomaly. SB 8’s 6-week private-enforcement ban also applies. Supreme Court denied emergency request to block SB 8, allowing it to take effect. Source
• HB 7 abortion-pill bounty law (2025, in force). Effective Dec 4, 2025, private parties may sue anyone who mails abortion medication into Texas. Relatives may recover at least $100,000, non-relatives $10,000. Targets out-of-state providers, abortion funds and manufacturers. Patients are exempt. Source
• Shield-law litigation against out-of-state doctors (2026, partly in force). Paxton’s suit against a New York county clerk was dismissed in Oct 2025 under New York’s shield law. In July 2026 a federal suit was filed against a California physician, the leading test of interstate shield laws. On Sep 30, 2026, Republican AGs sued abortion shield-law states in the US Supreme Court to stop providers from prescribing and mailing abortion pills. Source
• Local travel ordinances (2025, partly in force). At least 14 Texas counties and cities have enacted ordinances barring use of local roads for out-of-state abortion travel, enforced by private lawsuits. Amarillo voters rejected one by about 20 points in Nov 2024. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB14 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in 2024. Texas also bars Medicaid and state funds for gender-affirming care at any age. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, in force). SB8 (2025) restricts multi-occupancy restrooms in government buildings and schools; effective December 2025. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). HB25 (2021) K-12 ban, extended to colleges by SB15 (2023). Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2025, in force). SB12 (2025) bars PreK-12 instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity; Texas also retains a 1991 ‘no promo homo’ health-education statute (HB949). Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, partly in force). SB12 (2023) restricting ‘sexually oriented performances’ was struck down as unconstitutional in 2023 and struck down again by Judge David Hittner on August 26, 2026 as facially overbroad; the Fifth Circuit denied a motion to rehear the argument, confirming that family-friendly and all-ages drag performances remain fully legal; not fully enforceable. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2017, in force). HB3859 (2017) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (1999). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). Covenant-marriage legislation limited to opposite-sex couples introduced in 2025-2026; not enacted. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the marriage equality challenge, confirming the block. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3.5 of 4)

• Book ban law (2025, partly in force). SB 13 (2025) mandates immediate removal of challenged material, bars ‘indecent’ or ‘profane’ content, and creates parent library advisory councils. A federal appeals court ruled on October 19, 2026, that school board members can be forced to answer questions under oath about book ban votes, partially blocking the law’s enforcement mechanisms. Texas ranked 2nd nationally with 1,781 bans in 2024-25. Source
• READER Act blocked (2023, partly in force). HB 900’s vendor book-rating mandate was permanently enjoined as unconstitutional in Oct 2025. A three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit issued a temporary stay in 2026, keeping the status partially blocked while the appeal proceeds. Source
• Religious refusal (2017, in force). HB 3859 (2017) lets child-welfare and adoption agencies refuse placements on religious grounds. A 2025 Texas Supreme Court rule permits judges to refuse to perform marriages on religious grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). ‘Reasons of conscience, including a religious belief’ exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (1999, in force). Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (1999), expanded by SB 1978 (2019). Source

Church in public schools (3 of 4)

• Ten Commandments display (permissive) (2026, partly in force). Public Chapter 924 (2026) authorizes, but does not require, boards to display the Ten Commandments. Five districts approved display plans by Aug 2026. Source
• Christianity-in-history instruction (2026, partly in force). HB 1822, the ‘Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act’ (2026), authorizes K-12 and public higher-ed faculty to teach ‘the positive impacts of Christianity on American history.’ Permissive, effective July 1, 2026. Source
• Released-time elective credit (in force). Students may earn elective credit for off-campus released-time religious instruction. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2025, in force). Education Freedom Scholarship (2025), universal ESA; cap raised from 25,000 to 35,000 students in 2026. Source

Reproductive bans (3.5 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban prohibits abortion at all stages with narrow medical-emergency exceptions. 2025 legislation clarified qualifying conditions. No rape, incest or fetal-anomaly exception. Source
• ‘Abortion trafficking’ travel law (2025, blocked). 2024 law criminalizing recruiting, harboring or transporting minors for out-of-state abortion. The Sixth Circuit struck down the entire law in October 2026, overturning the previous partial injunction that had only blocked the recruitment provision. Source
• Medication abortion civil enforcement (2026, partly in force). Effective July 1, 2026, the attorney general may sue over the in-person dispensing requirement, with fines up to $10,000 per violation capped at $1 million. On September 26, 2026, a federal court temporarily blocked the law requiring women to have an in-person ultrasound before obtaining a medication abortion. Source
• Contraception refusal clause (2026, in force). Private institutions may refuse to provide any form of contraception, including emergency contraception. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB1 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; upheld by the US Supreme Court in United States v. Skrmetti (June 2025), which held such bans are subject only to rational-basis review. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2021, in force). HB1151 (2021) school facilities plus subsequent expansions to other facilities. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). SB228 (2021) K-12 ban, extended to colleges (2022). Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, in force). The Adult Entertainment Act (SB3, 2023) is IN EFFECT: the 6th Circuit vacated the district court injunction on standing grounds in July 2024 and the Supreme Court declined review in February 2025. This is the only explicit drag restriction currently enforceable in the US. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2024, in force). HB2165/SB1810 (2024) requires parental notification of a student’s gender-identity accommodation request. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2020, in force). HB836 (2020) adoption/foster religious exemption; HB1840 (2016) medical counseling refusal, expanded by HB1044/SB955 (2025); state RFRA (2009). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). Covenant-marriage legislation limited to opposite-sex couples introduced in 2025-2026; not enacted. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (4 of 4)

• Book ban law (2024, in force). Age-Appropriate Materials Act (2022) plus HB 843 (2024) creating a statewide removal mechanism via the Textbook Commission. Tennessee ranked 3rd nationally with 1,622 bans in 2024-25. Source
• Criminal liability for librarians (2022, in force). HB 2454 redefined ‘obscene’ to include material that has educational value, eliminating the educational-merit defense for school and library staff. Source
• Broad religious refusal (2025, in force). SB 955 Medical Ethics Defense Act (2025) for providers, institutions and payors; SB 1556 (2016) counselor and therapist refusal law; adoption and foster agency refusal. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2009, in force). Tennessee Preservation of Religious Freedom Act. Source

Church in public schools (4 of 4)

• Ten Commandments mandate (2026, in force). SB 99 (2026) requires an 11×14 display alongside the Mayflower Compact and other founding-era excerpts in grades 5-12 U.S. history classrooms and common areas. In effect since Oct 1, 2026; posters required by Jan 1, 2027, paid only with donated funds. No lawsuit filed yet. Source
• School chaplain law (2026, in force). HB 8 (2026) authorizes K-12 public and charter schools to accept volunteer campus chaplains starting 2026-27. Background checks required, no state certification. Source
• Released-time mandate (2026, in force). SB 248 (2026), the Released Time Credit Act, makes released-time religious instruction mandatory for local boards. Effective July 1, 2026. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2024, in force). CHOOSE Act ESA (2024), expanded in 2026 by HB 238 and SB 342. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Human Life Protection Act bans abortion at all stages. No exceptions for rape, incest or fetal anomaly; only serious health risk or death. Source
• Embryo personhood / IVF (2024, partly in force). The state constitution recognizes rights of ‘unborn children’; the Alabama Supreme Court held in LePage (2024) that frozen IVF embryos are ‘extrauterine children.’ The legislature granted providers immunity but left the personhood holding standing. Source
• Travel prosecution threat blocked (2025, blocked). A federal court ruled in April 2025 that the AG’s threats to prosecute people helping residents travel violate the right to travel and the First Amendment. Source
• Clinic and medication restrictions (2022, in force). In-person requirement for medication abortion, 48-hour waiting period, mandatory ultrasound and biased counseling, parental consent, method bans, insurance coverage bans. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2022, in force). SB184 (2022) bans medication and surgical care for minors; felony penalties; in effect after 11th Cir. vacated injunction (2023). Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2022, in force). HB322 (2022) requires K-12 multi-occupancy facility use by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). HB391 (2021) K-12 ban, extended to colleges (2022). Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2022, in force). HB322 (2022) bars instruction on sexual orientation/gender identity in K-5 and ‘age-inappropriate’ instruction in other grades. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2022, in force). SB184 (2022) requires school staff to disclose a student’s gender identity to parents on parental request. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2017, in force). HB24 (2017) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; HB95 (2017) medical refusal; state RFRA (Amendment 8, 1998). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Religious refusal (2017, in force). Faith-based child-placing agencies may refuse placements. The state also has a targeted medical-provider religious refusal law. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense applies in misdemeanor child-abuse and neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (1998, in force). Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment, a constitutional RFRA. Source

Church in public schools (2.5 of 4)

• Ten Commandments mandate (2025, partly in force). Act 573 (2025) requires displays in every classroom, library and government building. On March 16, 2026 a federal judge declared it unconstitutional and permanently enjoined it as to six districts. On Oct 10, 2026 the Eighth Circuit upheld the injunction, keeping the law blocked for those districts while remaining in force elsewhere. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2023, in force). Educational Freedom Accounts (LEARNS Act, 2023), now universal. Religious schools are the dominant participating sector. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban prohibits abortion at all stages except to save the pregnant person’s life in a medical emergency. No health, rape, incest or fetal-anomaly exception. Source
• Medication abortion ban (2022, in force). Mailing abortion medication prohibited; in-person physician administration required. 72-hour waiting period, mandatory ultrasound, parental consent, method and reason bans. Source
• Emergency contraception excluded (2026, in force). Arkansas excludes emergency contraception from contraceptive insurance coverage requirements and permits both physician and pharmacist refusal. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SAFE Act (HB1570, 2021) ban was struck down in 2023, but Arkansas enacted a replacement medical-malpractice liability regime (SB199, 2023) that functions as a ban; MAP lists Arkansas as having a ban in effect. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). SB270 (2023) school facility restrictions plus later expansions to government buildings. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). SB354 (2021) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2023, in force). SB294 / LEARNS Act (2023) bars instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation through grade 4. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). HB1468 (2023) requires parental consent before school staff use a student’s chosen name or pronouns. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2025, in force). HB1669 (2025) adoption/foster religious exemption; SB289 (2021) medical refusal; HB1615 (2025) business/public-accommodation exemption; state RFRA (2015). Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, partly in force). SB43 (2023) was narrowed by amendment to ‘adult-oriented performances’ and does not on its face name drag; not enforced as a drag ban. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3.5 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, partly in force). Act 372 lets city and county boards relocate challenged library material out of minors’ reach; HB 1646 requires K-5 ‘sexual content’ titles in locked storage. Section 1 (criminal liability for librarians) is blocked following a court ruling, while the rest of the law remains in force. Source
• Criminal liability for librarians (2023, partly in force). Act 372 makes ‘furnishing a harmful item to a minor’ a Class A misdemeanor. The Eighth Circuit reversed the injunction on July 30, 2026, so it is now enforceable. A separate unchallenged provision is a Class D felony, up to 6 years, for library employees. The challengers have asked the Eighth Circuit to rehear the case, and the court asked both sides for briefs (Oct 2026). However, a court ruling on Sep 29, 2026, blocked the state from enforcing the section making librarians criminally liable for obscene materials. Source
• Broad religious refusal (2021, in force). Medical Ethics and Diversity Act provider refusal; adoption and foster refusal; refusal by private businesses and public officials in marriage services. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization. A religious defense extends as far as capital murder charges in child medical-neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2015, in force). Arkansas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SB 975). Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Released-time mandate (2025, in force). SB 255 (2025) requires districts to permit off-campus released-time religious instruction. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2011, in force). Choice Scholarship Program, universal since 2025. 98% of voucher dollars went to religious schools in 2023-24, among the highest shares in the country. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Near-total abortion ban (2023, in force). Abortion permitted only to prevent death or serious health risk, for lethal fetal anomaly, or for rape or incest within 10 weeks post-fertilization. Source
• Religious-exercise injunction (2026, partly in force). A March 2026 order permanently enjoined enforcement against plaintiffs whose sincere religious beliefs direct them to obtain abortion care. The AG has appealed; the ban otherwise remains in force. On October 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana issued an order in State of Indiana et al v. Eidp, Inc. (1:2026cv02122). Source
• Pharmacist contraception refusal (2026, in force). Indiana is the only state with a refusal statute written specifically for pharmacists and pharmacy professionals regarding contraception. Source
• Telemedicine ban and clinic rules (2023, in force). Telemedicine abortion prohibited; 18-hour waiting period; mandatory ultrasound; parental consent; reason bans; method bans; admitting-privileges requirement. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB480 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; 7th Cir. allowed enforcement in 2024. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). HB1041 (2022) K-12 ban, extended to colleges (2023). Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2023, in force). HB1608 (2023) bars instruction on human sexuality in PreK-3. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). HB1608 (2023) requires schools to notify parents when a student requests a name or pronoun change. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2026, in force). HB1389 (2026) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (SB101, 2015). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (4 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, in force). HEA 1447 requires schools to adopt policies barring material ‘harmful to minors’, publish library catalogs, and process parent challenges. Source
• Criminal liability for librarians and teachers (2023, in force). HEA 1447 stripped the educational-value defense, so school librarians and teachers can no longer invoke a work’s educational merit to avoid felony prosecution. Source
• Religious refusal (in force). Child-welfare and adoption agency refusal. Pharmacists and pharmacy professionals may refuse to dispense contraception. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony-level child-abuse charges. Source
• State RFRA (2015, in force). Indiana RFRA (SB 101), later amended by a ‘fix’ bill. Source

Church in public schools (4 of 4)

• School chaplain law (2024, in force). HB 931 (2024) authorizes districts to adopt volunteer chaplain programs. DeSantis said publicly that Satanists ‘are not a religion’ and need not apply. Source
• Mandatory moment of silence (2021, in force). HB 529 (2021): principals must require a daily 1-2 minute moment of silence at the start of first period, with parents encouraged to direct its use. Signed at a religious institution and framed as restoring prayer to schools. Source
• Released-time religious instruction (in force). Florida law guarantees students released time for off-campus religious instruction on parental request. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2019, in force). Family Empowerment Scholarship and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, universal since 2023. At least 82% of scholarship students attend religious schools. Source

Reproductive bans (3 of 4)

• 6-week abortion ban (2024, in force). Ban at 6 weeks LMP. Exceptions for medical emergency, fatal fetal abnormality to 15 weeks, and rape/incest/trafficking to 15 weeks with documentation. Source
• Ballot measure failed at 57% (2024, in force). Amendment 4 would have protected pre-viability abortion. It got 57.1% in Nov 2024 but needed 60%. The Florida Supreme Court had already eliminated state constitutional privacy protection. Source
• Medication and clinic restrictions (2024, in force). Telemedicine prohibited; in-person dispensing required; 24-hour waiting period; mandatory ultrasound; parental consent and notification; TRAP and admitting-privileges rules. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB254 (2023) bans care for minors and imposes restrictions on adult care (in-person consent, physician-only prescribing); 11th Cir. allowed enforcement in 2024. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). HB1521 (2023) covers government buildings, schools and some private settings, with criminal trespass exposure. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). SB1028 (2021) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2022, in force). HB1557 (2022) ‘Parental Rights in Education,’ expanded by HB1069 (2023) and State Board rules through grade 8/12. Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, in force). SB1438 (2023) restricting ‘adult live performances’; previously enjoined, the 11th Circuit upheld the injunction but in August 2026 voted 8-5 to clear the path for enforcement, allowing the state to enforce the restrictions on children attending adult drag performances. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2023, in force). S1580 (2023) medical conscience refusal law; state RFRA (1998). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2.5 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, partly in force). HB 1069 requires removal within 5 days of a challenge over ‘sexual conduct.’ A federal appeals court recently struck down parts of the law, ruling that school board members can be questioned on their votes. Florida led the nation with 2,304 bans in 2024-25, of 6,870 nationally. Source
• Book ban law struck down (on appeal) (2025, blocked). The key HB 1069 removal provision was held unconstitutional on summary judgment in Aug 2025. The state’s appeal is pending in the Eleventh Circuit. Source
• Religious refusal in medicine (2023, in force). SB 1580 ‘Protections of Medical Conscience’ lets providers, insurers and payors refuse services on religious or moral grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (partly in force). Religious exemption from school immunization. The state announced in Sept 2025 a plan to eliminate school vaccine mandates entirely; legislation still pending. In Oct 2026, proposed changes to remove moral or ethical belief exemptions were challenged in administrative court. Source
• State RFRA (1998, in force). Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Tax-credit scholarship (2025, in force). Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit (2025), universal eligibility. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban criminalizes abortion at all stages. Life exception only; rape/incest limited to the first trimester with a police report. A separate 6-week ban is enforced by private lawsuit. Source
• Health-exception ruling put on hold (2026, partly in force). In Aug 2026 a federal judge held the ban unconstitutional for lacking a health exception, then narrowed the order to the one plaintiff physician. On Sept 3, 2026 the Ninth Circuit temporarily stayed even that, so the ban is fully enforced while the appeal continues. On Oct 13, 2026, the Idaho Supreme Court approved revised yes and no statements for Proposition 1, which would allow abortion before viability for medical reasons, clarifying the health exception landscape. Source
• ‘Abortion trafficking’ travel law (2023, in force). Felony, up to 5 years, to recruit, harbor or transport a minor for abortion without parental consent. The Ninth Circuit upheld the law, reversing the prior block on the ‘recruiting’ clause; the entire statute is now in effect. Source
• Repeal measure on Nov 2026 ballot (2026, partly in force). The Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act qualified July 13, 2026. It would permit abortion to viability and protect contraception and fertility treatment. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB71 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors, felony penalty; allowed to take effect after SCOTUS stay ruling (2024). Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2026, partly in force). SB1100 (2023) schools and SB1550 (2024) state facilities are in effect. HB752 (2026), which criminalized restroom use with penalties up to life, was partially blocked by a federal preliminary injunction on June 16, 2026 (single-user facilities and floors lacking a single-user option). SB1100 is now fully in effect after a federal lawsuit challenging the law was dismissed in September 2026. Source
• School sports participation ban (2020, in force). HB500 (2020), the first state sports ban; the Hecox injunction was lifted when SCOTUS upheld the law on June 30, 2026. Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2025, in force). H352 (2025) restricts instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity across K-12. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2026, in force). H822 (2026) requires school staff to notify parents when a student requests a gender-related accommodation. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2024, in force). H578 (2024) adoption/foster religious exemption; S1352 (2024) and H59 (2025) medical refusal; state RFRA (2000). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, partly in force). Idaho House passed a resolution urging the US Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell (2025); non-binding and the Senate did not concur. On Oct 16, 2026, justices affirmed a lower court’s ruling regarding Fairness for Girls’ object statement. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (4 of 4)

• Book ban law (2024, in force). HB 710 requires schools and public libraries to move material ‘harmful to minors’ to adults-only sections and creates a private right of action with $250 statutory damages. Litigation continues in the Ninth Circuit. Source
• Religious refusal in medicine (2025, in force). HB 59 Medical Ethics Defense Act: broad conscience right for providers, institutions and payors to refuse services. Source
• Religious refusal in child welfare (in force). Child-welfare agencies may refuse placements on religious grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Broad religious and personal-belief vaccine exemption; a religious defense is available up to manslaughter in child medical-neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2000, in force). Idaho Free Exercise of Religion Protected Act. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Released-time mandate (2025, in force). HF 870 (2025): a district ‘shall excuse a student from attendance’ for released-time religious instruction on parental request. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2023, in force). Education Savings Account Program (2023), universal by 2025-26. Source

Reproductive bans (3 of 4)

• 6-week abortion ban (2024, in force). Cardiac-activity ban in effect since July 2024. Exceptions: medical emergency; rape reported within 45 days; incest within 140 days; fetal abnormality incompatible with life. Source
• In-person dispensing required (2026, in force). Effective July 1, 2026, mifepristone and misoprostol must be dispensed in person, ending telehealth medication abortion. Providers must report to the state within 14 days whether these drugs were used after a pregnancy loss. Source
• Minors barred from consenting to HPV vaccine (2026, in force). The same 2026 law prohibits minors under 18 from consenting to STI-related vaccinations, including HPV. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SF538 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). SF482 (2023) restricts K-12 multi-occupancy facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). HF2416 (2022) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2023, in force). SF496 (2023) bars instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in K-6. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). SF496 (2023) requires parental notification of student gender-identity accommodation requests. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2026, in force). HF571 (2026) medical conscience refusal; state RFRA (SF2095, 2024). Iowa also removed gender identity from its civil rights act (SF418, 2025). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (4 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, in force). SF 496 bans K-12 books depicting sex acts and restricts LGBTQ instruction, driving 3,000+ removals. On April 6, 2026 the Eighth Circuit vacated the injunctions, letting Iowa fully enforce the law. Source
• Librarian criminal-penalty bill (not enacted) (2026, in force). HF 2309 (2026) imposes criminal and civil penalties on librarians who let minors access ‘harmful’ material. It is now effective, providing penalties and criminal liability when not acting in good faith. Source
• Religious refusal in medicine (2026, in force). HF 571 Medical Ethics Defense Act lets providers refuse care on moral, ethical or religious grounds. Signed May 2026. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available up to manslaughter in child medical-neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2024, in force). SF 2095, signed 2024. Source

Church in public schools (3 of 4)

• Ten Commandments mandate (2024, in force). HB 71 (2024) requires displays in every classroom, K-12 through state universities. The en banc Fifth Circuit vacated the injunction 12-6 on Feb 20, 2026 (Roake v. Brumley), allowing displays to go up for the 2026-27 school year. A Supreme Court petition (25-1360) is pending; Louisiana got an extension and its response is due Oct 19, 2026, so the Court has not yet considered it. Source
• School chaplain law (2024, in force). HB 334 (2024) allows school boards to employ or accept volunteer chaplains. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2024, in force). LA GATOR Scholarship (2024), a universal-eligibility ESA. Religious schools are the large majority of participating providers. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban prohibits abortion at all stages with no rape or incest exception. Narrow carve-outs for medically futile pregnancies and risk of death. Source
• Mifepristone a controlled substance (2024, in force). Louisiana reclassified mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances in 2024, the first state to do so, adding criminal exposure for possession without a prescription. Source
• Embryo personhood / IVF restriction (2025, in force). La. R.S. 9:129 makes a viable in vitro embryo a ‘juridical person which shall not be intentionally destroyed.’ Louisiana is the only state with a standing statutory ban on IVF embryo destruction. Source
• Criminal charges against out-of-state prescriber (2025, partly in force). Louisiana indicted New York physician Dr. Margaret Carpenter for prescribing abortion medication to a Louisiana patient. Gov. Hochul refused extradition under New York’s shield law. The shield law challenge is now being appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit as of Oct 2, 2026. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB648 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; enacted over veto. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2024, in force). HB608 (2024) restricts school and other facility use by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). SB44 (2022) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2024, in force). HB122 (2024) bars K-12 instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation; Louisiana also retains a 1987 ‘no promo homo’ law (HB484). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2010, in force). State RFRA (SB606, 2010). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, in force). Act 436 (2023) requires public libraries to adopt card tiers and parental-consent controls limiting minors’ access to ‘sexually explicit’ material. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges. Source
• State RFRA (2010, in force). Louisiana Preservation of Religious Freedom Act. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Released-time mandate (2024, in force). HB 1425 (2024): districts ‘shall adopt a policy to excuse a student’ for released-time religious instruction, with elective credit available. Source
• Bible mandate , RESCINDED (2024, blocked). Supt. Ryan Walters’ 2024 directive requiring a Bible in every grade 5-12 classroom was rescinded Oct 16, 2025 by his successor after Walters resigned. The state dropped its defense of the litigation. Not in effect; not scored. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2023, in force). Parental Choice Tax Credit Act (2023), universal refundable credit; funding increased by HB 3705 (2026). Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Pre-Roe ban in effect since June 2022. Permitted only to preserve the pregnant person’s life. No exceptions for health, rape, incest or fetal anomaly. Source
• Abortion pill trafficking felony (2026, in force). HB 1168 took effect Aug 13, 2026: felony to knowingly possess with intent to deliver, or deliver, mifepristone, misoprostol or methotrexate for abortion. Up to $100,000 and 10 years. Personal use excluded. Source
• Self-managed abortion criminalized (2022, in force). Criminalization of self-managed abortion is in effect, alongside a 72-hour waiting period, parental consent, D&E ban and sex-selection ban. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB613 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; felony penalties. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2022, in force). SB615 (2022) restricts K-12 school facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). SB2 (2022) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (1987, in force). HB1476 (1987) ‘no promo homo’ law remains in effect governing HIV/AIDS instruction. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2018, in force). SB1140 (2018) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (2000). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, partly in force). The Oklahoma legislature passed a resolution urging the Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell (2025); non-binding, with no legal effect. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Book ban law (2021, in force). HB 1775 educational gag order plus State Department of Education rules on ‘parental rights and library media’ governing removal of ‘sexualized content.’ Source
• Religious refusal in child welfare (2018, in force). Child-welfare agencies may refuse placements on religious grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious and personal-belief exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges. Source
• State RFRA (2000, in force). Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Ten Commandments display (permissive) (2021, partly in force). A 2021 law permits boards to display the Ten Commandments alongside other historical documents and shields officials from liability. Not a mandate. Source
• Released-time religious instruction (in force). North Dakota guarantees released time for off-campus religious instruction on parental request. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2025, in force). Abortion banned at all stages. The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the ban in a split decision Nov 21, 2025, reversing a district court. Exceptions: death or serious health risk; rape or incest up to six weeks. Source
• Telemedicine ban and clinic rules (2025, in force). Telemedicine prohibited for medication abortion; physician-only rule; 24-hour waiting period; mandatory ultrasound; parental consent; method ban; public and private insurance coverage bans. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB1254 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; felony penalties. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). HB1473 (2023) restricts facilities in schools, colleges and public buildings. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). HB1249/HB1489 (2023) K-12 and college ban, enacted over veto. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). HB1522 (2023) requires disclosure of a student’s gender identity to parents on request and restricts pronoun use. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2003, in force). Adoption/foster religious exemption (N.D.C.C. 50-12-07.1, 2003); state RFRA (HB1136, 2023). Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, partly in force). HB1333 (2023) restricts ‘adult-oriented performances’ on public property and could reach drag performances; not an explicit drag ban. Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). A resolution urging the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell was rejected by the state Senate 16-31 in 2025. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, in force). HB 1205 requires public libraries to adopt collection policies removing or relocating ‘explicit sexual material’ and report compliance to the legislature. One library spent $54,500 on review. The criminalizing companion bill was vetoed. Source
• Religious refusal in child welfare (in force). Child-welfare agencies may refuse placements on religious grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2023, in force). North Dakota RFRA, enacted 2023. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Released time (permissive) (2025, partly in force). SB 19 (2025) authorizes, but does not require, districts to permit released-time religious instruction. Source
• Public funding of religious schools (2026, partly in force). Voters rejected a voucher amendment in Nov 2024, but HB 1 (2026, enacted over veto) opted Kentucky into the federal tax-credit scholarship program. On Oct 22, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a Kentucky law requiring posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban prohibits abortion at all stages. Exception only for death or substantial risk of death, or serious permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ. No rape, incest or fetal-anomaly exception. Source
• Medication abortion restrictions (2022, in force). Telemedicine abortion banned; mailing of abortion medication prohibited. Source
• Clinic and method restrictions (2022, in force). 24-hour waiting period, biased counseling, mandatory ultrasound, parental consent, method bans, TRAP facility and admitting-privileges rules, criminal penalties for providers. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB150 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; enacted over veto; 6th Cir. allowed enforcement. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). SB150 (2023) requires K-12 facility use by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). SB83 (2022) K-12 and college ban, enacted over veto. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2023, in force). SB150 (2023) bars instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation across all K-12 grades. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2013, in force). State RFRA (HB279, 2013). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Book ban driver (2023, in force). SB 150 gag order restricting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity plus parental curriculum review. Identified by PEN America as a book-removal driver. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2013, in force). Kentucky RFRA, enacted over the governor’s veto. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Bible-study curriculum mandate (2026, in force). HB 312 (2026) requires grades 3-12 social studies to incorporate biblical passages ‘cited or alluded to in founding documents.’ Effective 2028-29. Utah is the first state to write a Bible-study requirement into statute. Source
• Religion-in-history mandate (2026, in force). SB 268 (2026) requires instruction on ‘the fundamental role of religion in United States history and the primacy of religious liberty.’ Implementation by 2027-28. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2023, partly in force). Utah Fits All Scholarship (2023). A state judge ruled it unconstitutional in April 2025; stayed pending Utah Supreme Court review, so the program continues. Source

Reproductive bans (2 of 4)

• 18-week ban in effect; trigger ban enjoined (2026, blocked). Utah enforces an 18-week LMP limit while its near-total trigger ban remains blocked. The Utah Supreme Court upheld the injunction on Oct 5, 2026, keeping abortion legal up to 18 weeks, and a long-awaited hearing was cancelled in April 2026. Source
• Clinic ban enjoined (2023, blocked). A 2023 law barring abortion clinics from operating statewide is under preliminary injunction. On Oct 5, 2026, the Utah Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the State’s attempt to move the case to a newly created unconstitutional three-judge panel. Source
• Waiting period, method and reason bans (2023, in force). 72-hour waiting period, biased counseling, parental consent and notification, D&X and saline bans, Down-syndrome reason ban, TRAP rules. All in effect. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB16 (2023) bans surgery for minors and imposes a moratorium on puberty blockers and hormones for new patients. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2024, in force). HB257 (2024) restricts facilities in government buildings and schools, with criminal trespass exposure. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). HB11 (2022) K-12 ban; a state-court injunction was in place before the 2026 Supreme Court ruling, after which the ban is enforceable. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). SB100 (2023) conditions school use of a student’s chosen name/pronoun on parental consent. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2026, in force). SB154 (2023) adoption/foster religious exemption; SB174 (2026) medical conscience refusal; state RFRA (SB150, 2024). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Statewide ‘no read’ list (2024, in force). HB 29 automatically bans a title in every district and charter statewide once 3 districts (or 2 districts plus 5 charters) remove it. 37 titles banned statewide as of June 2026, nearly all originating from just two districts. ACLU challenge filed Jan 2026. Source
• Religious refusal in the professions (2026, in force). SB 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments (effective May 2026) covers physicians, nurses, dentists and physical therapists. Private adoption agencies may also refuse, with a referral requirement. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious and personal-belief exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges in medical-neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2024, in force). SB 150, enacted 2024. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban criminalizes abortion with a single exception to preserve the pregnant person’s life. No health, rape, incest or fetal-anomaly exception. Source
• Abortion pill distribution felony (2026, in force). Legislation signed March 2026 makes it a felony to market or distribute abortion pills in the state. Source
• Abortion definition narrowed (2026, in force). South Dakota amended its statutory definition of abortion to exclude management of pregnancy loss, the only such bill enacted nationally in 2026. Source
• Clinic restrictions (2022, in force). 72-hour waiting period excluding weekends and holidays, biased counseling, 48-hour parental notification, telemedicine ban, reason bans, TRAP rules. Voters rejected a first-trimester protection amendment in Nov 2024. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB1080 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, in force). SB100-series (2025) restricts school and government-building facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). SB46 (2021) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2017, in force). SB149 (2017) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (SB124, 2021). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). A resolution urging reversal of Obergefell died in committee 9-4 in 2025. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2.5 of 4)

• Book ban law (2025, partly in force). HB 1239 (2025) creates an obscenity-determination and appeal process for library materials. The original ‘locking up librarians’ criminal-penalty version was stripped in the Senate before signing. Source
• Religious refusal in child welfare (2017, in force). SB 149 permits faith-based child-placing agencies to refuse placements. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense applies in misdemeanor child-abuse and neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2021, in force). South Dakota Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Reproductive bans (4 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Trigger ban prohibits abortion in nearly all cases. Exceptions only to save the pregnant person’s life and for rape or incest reported to law enforcement. No health or fetal-anomaly exception. Source
• Abortion pills added to drug trafficking law (2026, in force). Effective July 1, 2026, mifepristone and misoprostol were added to the state drug trafficking statute. Distribution or intent to distribute carries up to 10 years. Source
• Contraception refusal clause (2026, in force). Providers and institutions may refuse to provide contraception and sterilization. Source
• Clinic and reason restrictions (2022, in force). 24-hour waiting period, biased counseling, mandatory ultrasound, parental consent, method bans, race/sex/anomaly reason bans, TRAP rules. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB1125 REAP Act (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; felony/licensure penalties. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2024, in force). 2024 legislation restricts school and college facility use by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). SB2536 (2021) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (1998, in force). HB1304 (1998) ‘no promo homo’ law remains in effect, requiring sex-ed instruction to treat homosexuality as unlawful. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2016, in force). HB1523 (2016) is the broadest religious-exemption law in the country, covering adoption/foster care, medical services and business/public-accommodation services; state RFRA (2014). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Book ban / ‘divisive concepts’ law (2025, partly in force). HB 1193 bans ‘divisive concepts’ and DEI programming including ‘formal or informal education’ on race, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. Portions enjoined by a federal court, with the Fifth Circuit issuing a ruling on October 22, 2026. Source
• Broadest religious refusal law in the US (2016, in force). HB 1523 Religious Liberty Accommodations Act protects refusals by businesses, medical providers, counselors, adoption agencies and public officials. MAP identifies Mississippi as the only state with all five categories of targeted exemption. Source
• Faith-healing shield (2023, partly in force). The vaccine statute is medical-exemption-only, but a 2023 federal court order requires the state to grant religious exemptions. A religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges. Source
• State RFRA (2014, in force). Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Reproductive bans (3 of 4)

• 6-week abortion ban (2023, in force). Cardiac-activity ban upheld by the South Carolina Supreme Court in 2023 and its ‘fetal heartbeat’ definition upheld again in 2025. Rape or incest to 12 weeks with mandatory reporting to law enforcement. Source
• Telemedicine ban and clinic rules (2023, in force). Telemedicine abortion prohibited; physician-only rule; 24-hour waiting period; mandatory ultrasound; parental consent; TRAP and admitting-privileges rules. Source
• Contraception refusal clause (2026, in force). Providers and institutions may refuse contraception and sterilization, though the state also enacted contraception-protective legislation in 2026. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2024, in force). H4624 (2024) bans medication and surgical care for minors and bars public funds for adult care. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2026, in force). H4624 (2024) and H4756 (2026) restrict school and college facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). H4608 (2022) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2024, in force). H4624 (2024) requires school staff to notify parents of a student’s gender-identity accommodation request. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2018, in force). HB4950 (2018) adoption/foster religious exemption; H4776 (2022) medical refusal; state RFRA (1999). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Statewide removal list (2024, in force). State Board regulation 43-170 lets the board ban books statewide, treating any description of ‘sexual conduct’ as inappropriate for all K-12 students. 22 titles banned statewide as of May 2025, the most state-mandated bans in the country. Source
• Religious refusal (in force). Targeted medical-provider refusal and adoption/foster agency refusal. Contraception and sterilization refusal permitted for providers and institutions. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (1999, in force). South Carolina Religious Freedom Act. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Vouchers/ESA (2021, in force). Hope Scholarship Program (2021), universal eligibility. Religious schools are the dominant participating sector. Source

Reproductive bans (3.5 of 4)

• Total abortion ban (2022, in force). Abortion prohibited at all stages. Exceptions for medical emergency, nonviable pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy; rape or incest for adults up to 8 weeks with a law-enforcement report filed at least 48 hours prior. Source
• Medication abortion preemption rejected (2025, partly in force). A July 2025 federal appeals ruling held FDA approval of mifepristone does not preempt West Virginia’s ban as applied to medication abortion, closing that route. On 4/24/26, the court granted Plaintiffs’ motion for temporary injunction and blocked enforcement of the state’s 6-week abortion ban. Source
• Clinic and disability restrictions (2022, in force). 24-hour waiting period, biased counseling, mandatory ultrasound, parental notification, telemedicine ban, method bans, disability-based reason ban, public funding prohibition. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB2007 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors, with a narrow severe-dysphoria exception. West Virginia also bars Medicaid coverage for adult gender-affirming surgery, upheld by the 4th Circuit in Anderson v. Crouch (March 2026) relying on Skrmetti. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, in force). SB154 (2025) and related legislation restrict school and public facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). HB3293 (2021) K-12 and college ban; the B.P.J. injunction was lifted when the Supreme Court upheld the law on June 30, 2026. Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2025, in force). SB154 (2025) restricts K-12 instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, with limited exceptions. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2025, in force). SB154 (2025) requires parental notification of a student’s gender-identity accommodation request. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2023, in force). State RFRA (HB3042, 2023). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption blocked (2026, blocked). The governor’s Jan 2025 executive order purported to create religious exemptions to the compulsory school vaccination law. The Fourth Circuit upheld the mandate in 2026 and the state Board of Education reinstated the requirement. On Oct 6, 2026, the West Virginia Supreme Court intervened to block religious exemptions again, halting the reinstated requirement while the appeal proceeds. Source
• Faith-healing shield (in force). A religious defense is available up to murder charges in child medical-neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2023, in force). West Virginia Equal Protection for Religion Act (2023), the statute invoked to claim religious vaccine exemptions. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Vouchers (2013, in force). Opportunity Scholarships, universal since 2024. About 78% of voucher dollars went to religious schools in 2025-26. Source

Reproductive bans (2 of 4)

• 12-week abortion ban (2023, in force). In effect since July 2023, with a separate 20-week limit. Rape or incest to 20 weeks; life-limiting fetal anomaly to 24 weeks; medical emergency at any point. Source
• Medication and hospital requirements (2023, in force). Medication abortion must be administered in person; mailing prohibited. 72-hour waiting period. Abortions under the exceptions must occur in a hospital. Source
• Emergency contraception excluded from coverage (2026, in force). North Carolina excludes emergency contraception from contraceptive insurance coverage requirements. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). HB808 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; enacted over veto. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). HB574 (2023) K-12 and college ban, enacted over veto. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2023, in force). SB49 ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ (2023) bars instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in K-4. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). SB49 (2023) requires parental notification of changes in a student’s name or pronoun use. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1.5 of 4)

• Book ban law (2025, in force). HB 805 (July 2025, enacted over veto) lets parents designate library books off-limits to their child and requires searchable catalogs of all school and classroom library holdings. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Released-time mandate (2025, in force). HB 8 (2025) converted Ohio’s optional policy into a mandate: boards must permit students to leave for off-campus religious instruction. Over 100 districts added LifeWise Academy after passage. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2005, in force). EdChoice and Ohio Tax-Credit Scholarship, universal since 2023. 91% of voucher recipients attended religious schools in 2023-24. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• 22-week ban; 6-week ban permanently enjoined (2024, blocked). Issue 1 (Nov 2023) created a state constitutional right to reproductive decision-making. The 6-week ban was permanently enjoined in Oct 2024. On April 24, 2026, the court granted a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the 6-week ban. The 22-week LMP ban remains enforceable. Source
• Method and reason bans still enforced (2026, partly in force). D&E and D&X bans and a Down-syndrome reason ban remain in effect despite Issue 1. The telemedicine ban and 24-hour waiting period are preliminarily enjoined. A court issued an order blocking enforcement of the method ban. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2024, in force). HB68 (2024) bans medication and surgical care for minors; enacted over veto and upheld by Ohio appellate courts. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, in force). SB104 (2025) restricts K-12, college and residential facilities by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2024, in force). HB68 (2024) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Curriculum censorship ("Don’t Say Gay") (2025, in force). HB8 ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ (2025) restricts instruction on sexuality in K-3. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2025, in force). HB8 (2025) requires schools to notify parents of a student’s request for gender-related accommodation. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2021, in force). HB110 (2021) medical conscience refusal provision. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1.5 of 4)

• Religious refusal in medicine (2021, in force). Targeted medical-provider conscience law. Providers and institutions may refuse contraception and sterilization services. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious and conscientious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available up to manslaughter in child medical-neglect cases. Source

Reproductive bans (3 of 4)

• 6-week abortion ban (LIFE Act) (2022, in force). Ban at detectable cardiac activity, roughly 6 weeks LMP, in effect during ongoing litigation. Source
• Fetal personhood in state code (2022, in force). Georgia defines ‘natural person’ to include an ‘unborn child’ with detectable cardiac activity, extending personhood across the code including tax, child support and wrongful death. Source
• Clinic and method restrictions (2022, in force). 24-hour waiting period, biased counseling, D&X ban, parental consent, TRAP rules, funding and insurance limits, physician-only requirement. Rape/incest permitted 6-20 weeks with a police report. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (3 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB140 (2023) bans hormone therapy and surgery for minors; in effect. Source
• School sports participation ban (2025, in force). SB1 ‘Riley Gaines Act’ (2025) plus earlier GHSA rule; K-12 and college. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2025, in force). SB36 (2025) state Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Book ban law (2023, in force). SB 226 gives school administrators 10 days to decide whether challenged material is ‘harmful to minors.’ Source
• Librarian criminal-liability bill died (2026, blocked). SB 74 would have repealed the library and librarian exemption. It passed the Senate in March 2025 and was reported from House committee in Feb 2026, then died. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense applies in misdemeanor child-abuse and neglect prosecutions. Source
• State RFRA (2025, in force). SB 36 made Georgia the 30th state with a RFRA when signed in April 2025. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• Third-trimester restriction; amendment on the ballot (2026, partly in force). Virginia restricts abortion in the third trimester. Question 1, certified for Nov 3, 2026, would guarantee a right to abortion until the third trimester plus contraception and fertility-care protections. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Bathroom/facility ban (2023, in force). 2023 Department of Education Model Policies, which districts are required by law to adopt, restrict K-12 facility use by sex assigned at birth. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). Virginia High School League policy (2023) bars transgender girls from girls’ sports. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). 2023 DOE Model Policies require parental consent before school staff use a student’s chosen name or pronouns and require parental notification. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2012, in force). H189/S349 (2012) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (HB3082, 2007). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Book ban law (2022, in force). SB 656 requires parent notification and opt-outs for ‘sexually explicit content’ in instructional material. PEN America notes it has been misapplied to library collections. Source
• Religious refusal in child welfare (2012, in force). Child-welfare agencies may refuse placements conflicting with religious beliefs. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges. Source
• State RFRA (2007, in force). Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Vouchers/ESA (2025, in force). Steamboat Legacy Scholarship (2025), universal-eligibility ESA. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• Abortion bans struck down (2026, partly in force). On Jan 6, 2026 the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled 4-1 that the 2023 total ban and medication abortion ban violate the state constitutional right to make one’s own health care decisions. Abortion is legal to viability. On 4/24/26, the court granted a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the state’s 6-week abortion ban. Source
• Constitutional amendment push (2026, partly in force). The governor called for a constitutional amendment in response, and legislative leaders have prepared one to put before voters that would let the legislature restrict abortion again. Voters will decide on the ballot in November 2026. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (4 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SF99 (2023) and subsequent legislation ban medication and surgical care for minors. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, in force). 2025 legislation restricts school and government-building facilities, extending to some private settings. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). SF133 (2023) K-12 ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2025, in force). State RFRA (HB207, 2025). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Religious refusal in medicine (in force). Providers and institutions may refuse contraception and sterilization services on religious or moral grounds. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2025, in force). HB 207, effective July 1, 2025, made Wyoming the 29th RFRA state. Source

Church in public schools (0.5 of 4)

• Vouchers/ESA (2011, partly in force). Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, universal since 2022. 87% of ESA tuition spending went to religious schools in a 2022-23 vendor sample. On Oct 10, 2026, the Arizona Supreme Court declined to give lasting weight to a ruling protecting vouchers, leaving the program partially vulnerable to legislative restriction. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• Viability protection won at the ballot (2025, in force). Prop 139 (Nov 2024) created a state constitutional right to abortion until viability. The 15-week ban was permanently struck down in March 2025. On Sep 29, 2026, Arizona residents voted to protect reproductive rights, confirming the measure’s standing. Source
• Residual restrictions still on the books (2025, partly in force). About 21 pre-Prop-139 restrictions remain unrepealed and are being litigated piecemeal: physician-only rule, telehealth limits, reason bans, mandatory counseling and waiting period. The Arizona Supreme Court decided Chandler v. Roosevelt on April 28, 2026, addressing these residual restrictions. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (3 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2022, partly in force). SB1138 (2022) bans gender-affirming surgery for minors; medication care not banned. 2023 executive order provides some shield protections. As of Oct 12, 2026, the ban is scheduled for a committee review. Source
• School sports participation ban (2022, in force). SB1165 (2022) K-12 and college ban. Enforced after B.P.J./Hecox (2026). US Supreme Court upheld state bans on trans athletes in Oct 2026, confirming enforceability. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2022, in force). SB1399 (2022) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (1999). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (3 of 4)

• Book ban law (2022, in force). HB 2495 requires parental opt-in for ‘sexually explicit’ materials. Cited by PEN America as a driver of removals. Source
• Religious refusal (in force). Child-welfare and adoption agencies may refuse service on religious grounds. Providers may refuse contraception services. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious and personal-belief exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (1999, in force). Arizona Free Exercise of Religion Act. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• School chaplain law (2025, in force). SB 49 (2025) authorizes districts and charters to employ chaplains or accept volunteers. Chaplains must belong to a DoD-listed endorsing organization. Source
• Vouchers/ESA (2021, in force). MOScholars tax-credit ESA. About 98% of program spending in a sampled month (Aug 2025) went to religious schools. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• Abortion legal under Amendment 3, restrictions litigated (2026, partly in force). The 2024 Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment protects abortion to viability. A 2026 ruling struck the 72-hour waiting period and mandatory pelvic exams; medication abortion resumed in June 2026 for the first time since 2018. On October 7, 2025, the court ruled in favor of defendants regarding restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors. Source
• In-person dispensing still in effect (2026, in force). The mifepristone in-person dispensing requirement and physician-only rule remain enforceable; the AG is appealing to the state Supreme Court. Source
• Nov 2026 measure would repeal abortion rights (2026, partly in force). Amendment 3, certified for Nov 3, 2026, would repeal the 2024 amendment and impose a near-total ban with exceptions only for medical emergency, fatal fetal anomaly and rape/incest to 12 weeks. It also bars gender-transition procedures for minors. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (3 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). SB49 (2023) bans medication and surgical care for minors; a sunset on the hormone/puberty-blocker provision was removed by later legislation. Missouri also bars Medicaid and state funds for gender-affirming care at any age. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). SB39 (2023) K-12 and college ban. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2003, in force). State RFRA (SB12, 2003). Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). Covenant-marriage bills limited to opposite-sex couples introduced in 2025-2026; not enacted. Missouri votes to ban same-sex marriage in October 2026, maintaining the blocked status of same-sex marriage despite the bills. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Book ban law struck down (2022, blocked). SB 775 made it a Class A misdemeanor for school employees to provide ‘explicit sexual material’ to students. Nearly 300 titles were removed. Declared unconstitutional and permanently enjoined Nov 18, 2025. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense applies in misdemeanor child-abuse and neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2003, in force). Missouri Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Released-time mandate (2025, in force). HB 343 (2025) requires districts to provide released-time religious instruction programs. Source
• Tax-credit scholarships (2015, in force). Student Scholarship Organization tax credits (2015), the program at issue in Espinoza v. Montana, which required religious schools be allowed to participate. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (3 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, blocked). SB99 (2023) ban on care for minors was permanently struck down as unconstitutional under the Montana Constitution in 2025. Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2025, blocked). HB121 (2025) restricting facilities in public buildings was blocked by a state court in April 2025. Source
• School sports participation ban (2021, in force). HB112 (2021) K-12 ban in effect; the higher-education ban was partially blocked in 2022 but reinstated in 2025. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Drag performance restriction (2023, blocked). HB359 (2023) remains blocked after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction on March 13, 2026, keeping the state from enforcing the drag performance restriction. Source
• Forced outing / pronoun law (2023, in force). SB518 (2023) requires parental consent before school staff use a student’s chosen name or pronouns. Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2023, in force). HB303 (2023) medical conscience refusal; state RFRA (SB215, 2021). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Religious refusal in medicine (in force). Targeted medical-provider religious refusal law. Providers and institutions may refuse contraception and sterilization services. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2021, in force). SB 215 Montana Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• 22-week ban (2015, in force). Kansas bans abortion at 22 weeks. The state constitution protects abortion access under Hodes & Nauser (2019), reaffirmed when voters rejected the 2022 Value Them Both amendment. Source
• Major restrictions struck down (2026, blocked). In Aug 2026 a judge permanently enjoined the waiting period, government-scripted counseling, the medication-abortion-reversal script, paperwork font mandates and the requirement to collect patients’ reasons. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (3 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2025, blocked). SB63 (2025) ban on care for minors was temporarily blocked by a state district court on May 15, 2026 as likely violating the Kansas Constitution (Loe v. Kansas). Source
• Bathroom/facility ban (2026, in force). SB180 (2023) ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ plus SB244 (2026), which restricts government-building restrooms and invalidates updated driver’s licenses; in effect after veto override. A state judge denied an early restraining order in March; the full injunction hearing ended with closing arguments Oct 7, 2026, and a ruling is expected in the coming weeks. Source
• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). SB160 (2023) K-12 and college ban enacted over veto. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source
• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2018, in force). SB284 (2018) adoption/foster-care religious exemption; state RFRA (2013). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Religious refusal (2018, in force). Faith-based child-placing agencies may refuse placements conflicting with religious beliefs. An executive order also permits judicial officials to refuse marriage solemnization. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense applies in misdemeanor child-abuse and neglect cases. Source
• State RFRA (2013, in force). Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act. Source

Reproductive bans (2 of 4)

• 12-week ban written into the constitution (2024, in force). Voters approved Initiative 434 in Nov 2024 writing a 12-week limit into the state constitution and rejected the competing viability-protection measure. Exceptions for medical emergency, sexual assault and incest. Source
• Physician-presence and method restrictions (2023, in force). 24-hour waiting period, ultrasound at least one hour before, physician must be physically present for all abortion care including medication abortion, no telemedicine, D&E ban, parental consent, TRAP rules. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (2 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2023, in force). LB574 (2023) bans surgery for minors and directs CMO regulation sharply restricting puberty blockers and hormones. Source
• School sports participation ban (2024, in force). Sports ban enacted restricting K-12 participation by sex assigned at birth. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2024, in force). LB 277, the ‘First Freedom Act’, enacted 2024. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (1 of 4)

• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (1997, in force). Health Care Right of Conscience Act (P.A. 90-246, 1997) permits provider refusals; state RFRA (1998). Illinois otherwise has broad LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (2 of 4)

• Religious refusal in medicine (1977, in force). Health Care Right of Conscience Act permits providers and institutions to refuse services, including contraception, on religious or moral grounds. Illinois is simultaneously the first state to enact an anti-book-ban law. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (1998, in force). Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: First anti-book-ban law in the nation (HB 2789, 2023, effective Jan 2024): ties state library grant funding to adopting the ALA Library Bill of Rights or a comparable statement.

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Vouchers/ESA (2021, in force). Education Freedom Accounts, universal since 2025. 86% of tuition spending went to religious schools in 2024-25. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (2 of 4)

• Gender-affirming care ban (2024, partly in force). HB619 (2024) bans genital gender-reassignment surgery for minors; medication care is not banned. Source
• School sports participation ban (2024, in force). HB1205 (2024) bans transgender girls from girls’ school sports in grades 5-12; previously partially enjoined, enforceable after B.P.J./Hecox. Source

Church in public schools (2 of 4)

• Tax-credit scholarships (2001, in force). EITC and OSTC programs. At least 78% of estimated scholarship dollars went to religious schools in 2022-23. Source
• Released-time religious instruction (in force). Pennsylvania statute guarantees released time for off-campus religious instruction on parental request. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious and ‘strong moral or ethical conviction’ exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2002, in force). Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act. Source

Church in public schools (1 of 4)

• Vouchers (1990, in force). Milwaukee, Racine and statewide Parental Choice Programs. About 96% of voucher students were enrolled in religious schools in 2025-26. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• 20-week ban; 1849 ban invalidated (2025, partly in force). The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled July 2, 2025 that the 1849 criminal abortion statute does not ban abortion. A 20-week LMP ban and viability limit remain enforceable. Source
• In-person physician requirement (2026, in force). A physician must be physically present; 24-hour waiting period, mandatory ultrasound, biased counseling, physician-only rule, parental consent, TRAP rules, funding and insurance limits. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (0.5 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious and personal-conviction exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony child-abuse charges. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (1 of 4)

• Religious exemption allowing discrimination (2015, in force). HB4188-4190 (2015) allow faith-based adoption and foster agencies to refuse placements on religious grounds. Source
• Marriage-equality challenge (2025, blocked). Covenant-marriage legislation limited to opposite-sex couples was introduced in 2025-2026 but did not pass; a resolution urging reversal of Obergefell was also introduced. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious refusal in child welfare (2015, partly in force). Certain faith-based child-placing agencies may refuse placements. Source
• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious and philosophical exemptions from school immunization requirements. Source

Reproductive bans (1 of 4)

• 24-week limit; second ballot vote pending (2026, partly in force). Abortion legal to 24 weeks from fertilization. Question 6 is certified for Nov 3, 2026. Nevada requires two successive votes and voters approved it the first time in 2024. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (1 of 4)

• Forced outing / pronoun law (2018, in force). NAC 388.880(3)(3) (2018) conditions school use of a student’s chosen name/pronoun on parental consent. Nevada otherwise has strong LGBTQ protections. Source

LGBTQ restrictions (1 of 4)

• School sports participation ban (2023, in force). State Board of Education regulation (2023) bars transgender girls from girls’ school sports. Enforceable after SCOTUS upheld sports bans in West Virginia v. B.P.J. / Little v. Hecox (June 30, 2026). Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (2000, in force). New Mexico Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Source

Book bans and religious exemptions (1 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption (in force). Religious exemption from school immunization requirements. Source
• State RFRA (1993, in force). Rhode Island Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Rhode Island is also a Freedom to Read state. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: Freedom to Read Act (2025) covering both school and public libraries.

Book bans and religious exemptions (0.5 of 4)

• State RFRA (1993, in force). Connecticut RFRA, one of the earliest, still on the books. Connecticut has no religious vaccine exemption (medical-only since 2021) and is also a Freedom to Read state. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: 2025 Freedom to Read legislation: requires collection-development and reconsideration policies for all public and school libraries; limits challenges to local residents and grants good-faith immunity to staff.

Book bans and religious exemptions (0.5 of 4)

• Religious vaccine exemption and faith-healing shield (in force). Religious and conscientious exemption from school immunization; a religious defense is available against felony-level child-abuse charges. Minnesota is also a Freedom to Read state. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: SF 3567 (2024): covers public, school and higher-education libraries; requires collection policies and prohibits removal based solely on viewpoint.

Book bans and religious exemptions (0.5 of 4)

• Faith-healing shield (in force). A religious defense is available against felony-level child-abuse charges arising from withheld medical care. New Jersey is also a Freedom to Read state. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: Freedom to Read Act (Dec 2024): protects librarians who defend collections, requires acquisition and evaluation policies, and limits challenges to community members.

Book bans and religious exemptions (0.5 of 4)

• Religious refusal and faith-healing shield (in force). Providers and institutions may refuse contraception and sterilization on religious grounds; a religious defense is available up to murder charges in child medical-neglect cases. Washington is also a Freedom to Read state. Source

Freedom to Read shield law: HB 2331 (2024): bars school book bans for discriminatory reasons and required districts to adopt review policies by the 2025-26 school year.