A state Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is a law or constitutional amendment that protects religious freedom when the government seeks to pass a general law that would burden religious freedom. RFRAs require that the government prove that the burdensome law furthers a compelling government interest and that there is no way to further that interest that would be less burdensome to religious freedom.

RFRAs benefit faith-based organizations and religious freedom because these laws make it more difficult for the government to burden religious exercise. The presence or absence of a state RFRA is one of the most important religious freedom protections for a faith-based nonprofit.  If a state has a RFRA, religious organizations are protected against many other types of state law that can burden their religious exercise.

Below is a tier ranking of each state for this factor. Click on the state's name to open up its page, which provides more information on that particular state's overall score and relevant laws.