(Photo by Stephen Koranda)
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The chairman of the Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee says the Legislature will not proceed any further with a House-passed bill aimed at shielding people who refuse for religious reasons to provide goods and services to gay couples. State Senator Jeff King on Tuesday declared the legislation dead. The bill would have barred government sanctions or anti-discrimination lawsuits against individuals, groups and businesses that cite religious beliefs in refusing to provide goods, services, accommodations or employment benefits to gay couples. Supporters said the bill would protect Kansans from being forced to participate in gay weddings if the federal courts struck down the state's ban on same-sex unions. The House passed it last week. Senate leaders said the bill couldn't pass their chamber amid criticism that it was discriminatory. King said his panel still will have hearings on religious liberty issues.