Bessard v. California Community Colleges and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Implications for Public Administration

Abstract

This article examines the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the first case in the employment setting decided under it, Bessard v. California Community Colleges. After exploring the judicial and legislative heritage of the RFRA and its relationship to the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, the facts and decision in the Bessard case are analyzed. The implications of the RFRA and the Bessard case are then detailed.