#USA #Florida #Sarasota #Ron DeSantis #Religious Liberty

Florida Achieves Top Ranking for Religious Liberty Protections

In a significant announcement made on July 14, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed that his state has garnered the top ranking in the nation for its protections of religious liberty, according to the fourth annual Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index conducted by the First Liberty Institute. The press conference, held at New College in Sarasota, marked a historic moment for the Sunshine State, as it secured the first place with an impressive score of 74.6%, surpassing Montana, which scored 70.6%, and Illinois, which recorded 68.8%.

This year’s RLS index evaluated a total of 47 unique legal protections organized into 20 different safeguards states can adopt to bolster religious freedom in various aspects of daily life, including education, healthcare, family law, and the practice of religion. The recognition by First Liberty Institute serves as a testament to Florida's proactive approach in legislating new conscience protections, religious exemptions, and updating laws designed to safeguard individual rights.

Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of this recognition, stating, "Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism—and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty. We’re grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute which has just named Florida the #1 state in the nation for protecting religious liberty. Religious liberty is critical to the foundation and function of America, and I am proud that Florida excels in protecting this right."

The annual index reveals a stark difference between states that actively implement legislative changes to uphold religious liberties and those that remain stagnant, relying on outdated laws. As noted by Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty, "This year’s findings show clearly that states taking legislative action are pulling ahead. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida passed real laws that protect real people, and now the Sunshine State is the national leader in protecting religious liberty. It’s time for more states to follow Governor DeSantis’s example and adopt strong religious liberty laws.”

The research from the RLS index indicates a growing divide in the quality of religious liberty protections across state lines. Dr. Mark David Hall, director of the Religious Liberty in the States project, remarked that “each state is a laboratory for liberty.” The innovation and proactive measures taken by certain states facilitate the preservation of religious freedom in ways that resonate with the foundational values set forth by America’s founders. Such initiatives enable individuals from diverse faith backgrounds to live according to their respective beliefs comfortably.

In 2025, the increased standards of protection include significant advancements such as medical conscience rights, foundational protections for counselors, limitations on financial discrimination based on religious affiliation, and laws safeguarding parental rights, student religious expression, and foster parent conscience rights. These additions underline the ongoing commitment to fortifying religious liberties in Florida and beyond.

The RLS index has garnered attention beyond state leaders, aiming to inspire citizens to advocate for more robust protections in their states by highlighting effective frameworks from states like Florida and Montana. The message is clear: if lawmakers wish to avoid falling behind, they must prioritize actions to safeguard the rights of individuals to practice their faith.

For those interested in exploring their state’s standings, viewing specific rankings, or understanding the methodology, more information is available at www.religiouslibertyinthestates.com.

About First Liberty Institute

First Liberty Institute stands as a preeminent nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the religious freedom rights of all Americans. Through its initiatives, the organization supports various legal endeavors to uphold these foundational freedoms.

About the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy

First Liberty's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) promotes scholarly work at the intersection of religion, culture, and democracy, shedding light on just how integral religion is to societal cohesion and liberty preservation.