church and state hi res_new
Written by Don Byrd
The Kansas State House yesterday passed a bill that would allow individuals, businesses and even government employees to refuse to provide services to couples if doing so violated their sincere religious beliefs. The Kansas effort is one of many states currently considering such broad religious exemptions.

The Wichita Eagle reports:

[Rep. Charles] Macheers told an anecdote about a florist in Washington who was sued for refusing to provide flowers for a gay wedding. He said his bill would protect business owners from similar civil claims.

The bill covers private and public employees. Government agencies would still be required to provide services, but individual clerks could refuse to serve same-sex couples based on their religious beliefs on marriage.

Businesses would still provide services, provided it was not unduly burdensome to do so.

 

 

The Lawrence Journal collects statements from House members explaining their votes here. House Bill 2453 now goes on to the Senate.

[UPDATE: According to The Kansas City Star, the State Senate President indicated there are not enough votes in that body to pass the bill as currently written. Stay tuned.]