Post by Logan on Feb 19, 2016 2:29:15 GMT -6
Some of the largest employers in West Virginia aren't saying whether they support or oppose a bill that proponents say would protect religious freedom but opponents say would allow for discrimination against the LGBT community and other groups.
Civil rights advocates have warned that the West Virginia Religious Freedom Act (HB 4012) is anti-business because most Fortune 500 companies follow LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies and because large corporations have publicly opposed similar bills in other states.
The West Virginia bill establishes a legal process for courts to follow when determining if a person's religious beliefs are being violated by state action. Because businesses could argue that civil rights laws, including local nondiscrimination ordinances, don't apply to them because of their religious beliefs, opponents warn that businesses could attempt to turn away LGBT customers.
A spokesman for Procter & Gamble, which is building a $500 million plant near Martinsburg, said the company believes it is “premature and inappropriate” to comment on the bill, since the company doesn't yet employ anyone in West Virginia.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160217/major-employers-mum-on-wv-religious-freedom-bill
Civil rights advocates have warned that the West Virginia Religious Freedom Act (HB 4012) is anti-business because most Fortune 500 companies follow LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies and because large corporations have publicly opposed similar bills in other states.
The West Virginia bill establishes a legal process for courts to follow when determining if a person's religious beliefs are being violated by state action. Because businesses could argue that civil rights laws, including local nondiscrimination ordinances, don't apply to them because of their religious beliefs, opponents warn that businesses could attempt to turn away LGBT customers.
A spokesman for Procter & Gamble, which is building a $500 million plant near Martinsburg, said the company believes it is “premature and inappropriate” to comment on the bill, since the company doesn't yet employ anyone in West Virginia.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160217/major-employers-mum-on-wv-religious-freedom-bill