Scaled down legislation aimed at protecting certain religious organizations that don’t conduct same sex marriages emerged from the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
The initial bill covered a number of entities including churches and religious schools. Martin Cothran with Kentucky’s Family Foundation says the amended bill applies solely to places of worship and their leaders.
“The only thing that’s covered under the current language is anything having to do with the actual performance of a same sex marriage. A religious organization does not have to allow its facilities to be used for a same sex marriage,” said Cothran.
Although voting yes, Committee Member Chad McCoy says this type of legislation sends the wrong message. He says attention given to the measure can carry adverse economic development implications. “Until we have real action and not just threat, threat, threat or may happen…that we can focus on the things that everybody in our Commonwealth needs, which is good jobs, good economy, and keep that kind of stuff going,” noted McCoy.
Cothran says bill supporters hope to see language restored to the bill to expand religious protections related to education and housing. Proponents are also concerned about the possibility of losing accreditation for religious schools or tax exempt status.
