Indiana House Passes Religious Freedom Bill

The Indiana House of Representatives has approved a bill to protect religious freedom.

The legislation's intent is to keep the government from forcing people of faith to provide services for same-sex weddings or other activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs.

The bill prohibits any state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her faith. The bill's definition of a "person" includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.

Opponents of the measure say it could allow anti-gay discrimination. But supporters disagree.

"No one in this General Assembly is advocating a bill that would allow people to discriminate," House Majority Leader Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said.

McMillin said the bill would give courts guidance on how to decide cases involving competing constitutional rights pertaining to religious freedom and discrimination.

"The whole purpose of this is to make sure the government does not infringe on our constitutional rights, our First Amendment rights, our free exercise of religion," state Sen. Scott Schneider (R) said.

More than a dozen states have introduced similar proposals this year.