• State Senate bill proposes to protect religious freedom

State Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco introduced legislation Jan. 27 that purports to clarify the religious freedom of California clergy.The bill, SB 906, states that no member of the clergy will be required to solemnize a civil marriage contrary to his or her faith. It also reaffirms that churches will not lose tax-exempt status if they refuse to perform weddings that do not align with their religious beliefs.