---
title: "Safeguards"
date: 2022-07-05
author: "Chris Malone"
featured_image: "https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/us-supreme-court-safeguards-page.jpg"
---

# Safeguards

#  Title 

 Now in its fifth edition, RLS measures the presence or lack of each of 20 safeguards in each state. [States](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/states/) differ greatly, as reflected in the range of RLS 2026 scores (as percentages of an ideal) across the 50 states, from 26 percent of potential safeguards to 89 percent.  
  
Some safeguards contain multiple “items,” that is, specific protections. Collectively, we consider 50 ways states may protect religious liberty. Each of these protections has been adopted in at least one state. Click on a safeguard below to explore which states are protecting religious exercise in these domains and how they are doing it. We provide links to each religious liberty statute for those interested in learning more and for those seeking models of protections that their state lacks. ##  Select a Safeguard for More Information 

 ![Government](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-2026-safeguard-government.svg)###  Government 

- [### Religious Freedom Restoration Act
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/religious-freedom-restoration-act/)
- [### Absentee Voting
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/absentee-voting/)
- [### Nonparticipation in Weddings by Public Officials
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/marriage-weddings-public-official-recusal/)
 
 ![Health Care](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-2026-health-care.svg?t=1778089774)###  Health Care 

- [### General Conscience Provision
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/health-care-provision-general-conscience-provision/)
- [### Abortion Refusal
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/health-care-provision-abortion-refusal/)
- [### Sterilization Refusal
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/health-care-provision-sterilization-refusal/)
- [### Contraception Refusal
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/health-care-provision-contraception-refusal/)
- [### Euthanasia Refusal
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/euthanasia-refusal/)
- [### Recusal of Counseling Provider
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/recusal-of-counseling-provider/)
- [### Health Insurance Mandates
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/health-insurance-mandates/)
 
 ![Economic Life](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-2026-safeguard-economic.svg)###  Economic Life 

- [### Nonparticipation in Economic Arrangements
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/marriage-weddings-for-profit-business-nonparticipation/)
- [### No Religious Discrimination in Financial Services / Insurance Provision
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/no-religious-discrimination-in-financial-services/)
 
 ![Religious Life](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-2026-safeguard-religious.svg)###  Religious Life 

- [### Clergy-Penitent Privilege Protected
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/religious-ceremonial-life-clergy-as-mandatory-reporters/)
- [### Ceremonial Use of Alcohol by Minors
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/religious-ceremonial-life-ceremonial-use-of-alcohol/)
- [### Houses of Worship Protected from Closing
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/religious-ceremonial-life-houses-of-worship-protected-from-closing/)
- [### Nonparticipation in Weddings by Clergy
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/nonparticipation-in-weddings-by-clergy/)
- [### Religious Entity Refusal to Participate in Weddings
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/marriage-weddings-refusal-of-religious-entities/)
 
 ![Family & Education](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-2026-safeguard-family.svg)###  Family & Education 

- [### Immunization Requirement Exemption
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/students-immunization-requirement-exemption/)
- [### School Protections
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/family-and-education-school-protections/)
- [### No Religious Discrimination in Foster Parent Eligibility
    
     ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguard/no-religious-discrimination-in-foster-parent-eligibility/)