Post by Logan on Feb 28, 2016 3:22:16 GMT -6
After voting down an amendment that would have prevented the law from being used to discriminate, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday night approved and sent to the Senate floor a contentious bill that proponents say would protect religious freedom.
House Bill 4012 establishes a legal process for courts to follow when a person or business feels state action is violating their religious beliefs. The law would establish a balancing test for courts to use when determining whether the person is being substantially burdened by state action, and whether the state has “compelling governmental interest” in ensuring the law is followed.
“State action” could include civil rights laws, including local LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, so civil rights advocates fear the law will be used to allow discrimination against the LGBT community and other historically-discriminated against groups. Proponents of the bill have openly said support stems from opposition same-sex marriage.
After hours of debate, the committee passed the bill with a vote of 12-4.
Senator Corey Palumbo, D- Kanawha, introduced an amendment that would have clarified the law could not be used to discriminate. He wanted to add a section that specified the law could not be used to deny another person services or rights granted to them by existing law. The amendment was voted down 9-7.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160226/religious-freedom-bill-sent-to-senate-floor
House Bill 4012 establishes a legal process for courts to follow when a person or business feels state action is violating their religious beliefs. The law would establish a balancing test for courts to use when determining whether the person is being substantially burdened by state action, and whether the state has “compelling governmental interest” in ensuring the law is followed.
“State action” could include civil rights laws, including local LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, so civil rights advocates fear the law will be used to allow discrimination against the LGBT community and other historically-discriminated against groups. Proponents of the bill have openly said support stems from opposition same-sex marriage.
After hours of debate, the committee passed the bill with a vote of 12-4.
Senator Corey Palumbo, D- Kanawha, introduced an amendment that would have clarified the law could not be used to discriminate. He wanted to add a section that specified the law could not be used to deny another person services or rights granted to them by existing law. The amendment was voted down 9-7.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160226/religious-freedom-bill-sent-to-senate-floor