The president of the Kansas Senate says a so-called religious freedom bill that passed the House won’t pass the Senate in its current form. The bill would allow individuals, businesses and religious groups to refuse service or employment to same-sex couples for religious reasons. It would also prevent those who were targeted from filing lawsuits in protest of the treatment. Senator Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, says she supports efforts to protect religious freedom, but she has concerns over possible discrimination and how the bill would affect businesses.
Critics of the bill have said it provides a shield for discrimination. Supporters say it’s a preemptive strike against federal courts that could invalidate the Kansas ban on same-sex marriage. The bill passed in the House earlier this week and has drawn national attention.