Why Florida Fell to #3: Understanding the Shift in RLS 2026

In recent years, Florida has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting religious liberty. The Sunshine State ranked second in the RLS 2024 index and rose to first place in RLS 2025. This year, Florida remains near the top of the rankings, but it has moved to third place behind Arkansas and Tennessee.

That shift is noteworthy, but it should be understood carefully. Florida did not lose religious liberty protections. In fact, its score increased slightly, from 74.6 percent in RLS 2025 to 76.9 percent in RLS 2026. But because RLS is a dynamic and comparative index, Florida’s rank changed as other states adopted new protections and moved ahead.

Why the Rankings Shifted

Florida was the reigning champion in the 2025 RLS index in part because it had many of the safeguards measured that year. For example, Florida was one of several states that enacted laws after the COVID-19 pandemic to protect houses of worship from government-ordered closures.

But RLS changes as states change. Each year, the index is updated to reflect additional areas where states can protect religious liberty. In 2026, Arkansas and Tennessee moved ahead of Florida because they adopted, or already had, key protections that Florida does not yet have.

Florida still holds a high position overall, but its shift from first to third illustrates how quickly rankings can change when other states continue to adopt new protections.

What Changed in RLS 2026

The RLS project considered 29 protections in 2022, 34 protections in 2023, 39 protections in 2024, and 47 protections in 2025. This year, RLS added three more items, bringing the index to 50 legal protections grouped into 20 safeguards.

The new items added in RLS 2026 include medical conscience protections that permit individuals to decline to participate in genetic counseling, protections allowing individuals to opt out of joining labor unions because of religious objections, and protections against discrimination at public institutions of higher education because of religious commitments.

These additions help explain why the rankings changed. States can improve their scores by passing new legislation. They can also benefit when they already have protections in place that are added to the index. Conversely, states that remain inactive may fall in the rankings even if they have not lost any existing protections.

This is what happened to one-time champion Illinois, which has now fallen to fifth place as other states adopted new protections and the index expanded.

Florida receives credit for two of the three new items added to RLS 2026: protections related to genetic counseling and religious objections to joining labor unions. However, it does not yet receive credit for equal access protections for college students. Arkansas and Tennessee had all three newly tracked protections, which helped them move ahead in this year’s rankings.

Where Florida Can Improve

Florida’s third-place ranking is still impressive, but every state has room for improvement. If Florida wants to reclaim the top spot, lawmakers should consider adding several protections currently tracked by RLS.

These include equal access protections for college students, the one newly added 2026 item Florida does not yet have. Florida could also add protections for public officials who decline to participate in weddings because of religious objections, among other areas.

These gaps show that even leading states have opportunities to strengthen their protections. Arkansas and Tennessee demonstrate how quickly states can move ahead when they adopt significant new religious liberty safeguards.

Still a National Leader

Florida remains a national leader in protecting religious liberty. Its high score reflects important laws adopted in recent years, including protections for houses of worship, conscience protections, religious exemptions, and other statutory safeguards.

The state’s movement from first to third should not be viewed as a loss of religious liberty for Floridians. Rather, it is a reminder that the RLS index measures ongoing legislative activity across all 50 states. When one state pauses, another may move ahead.

Florida has led before, and it can lead again. With renewed attention to emerging areas of concern, the Sunshine State can continue strengthening protections for people of all faiths.

Where does your state rank, and how has its status changed over time? Check out the RLS index or download the report to learn more.