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West Virginia House Approves Religious-Exemptions Bill
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Update 2:00 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia religious-exemptions bill that opponents say would allow for discrimination has cleared the Republican-led House of Delegates.
Approved by Thursday’s 72-26 vote, the proposal would let people cite religious objections to state actions in certain court proceedings. It moves to the Senate.
Proponents say it protects freedoms to express religious beliefs, unless there’s a compelling state interest to restrict them.
Opponents say it sanctions discrimination, particularly targeting gay marriage.
Various business interests oppose it, from local chambers of commerce to Charleston’s Marriott hotel.
Republican Senate President Bill Cole called it a “tough one.”
Reports say Indiana might have lost $60 million when groups opted against conventions in Indianapolis because of a similar law.
Citing Indiana, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said he’d have to consider a veto.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A religious freedom bill that opponents say would allow for discrimination in West Virginia is set for a House of Delegates vote.
The Republican-led House has set the legislation up for a likely Thursday vote.
The proposal would let people cite religious grounds in certain court proceedings. Proponents say it protects people’s freedoms to express deeply held religious beliefs, as long as there isn’t a compelling state interest to restrict them.
Opponents say it’s a license to discriminate, particularly against gay people.
A variety of business interests oppose the bill, from the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce to Charleston’s Marriott hotel.
Tourism group Visit Indy said Indiana might have lost $60 million when a dozen groups decided against hosting conventions in Indianapolis because of its similar state law.