Religious freedom bill in House has Tuesday deadline

Mississippi ‘religious freedom’ bill faces Tuesday deadline

A Mississippi House panel will decide Tuesday whether to kill a religious-practices bill or keep it alive with or without changes.

Critics say the bill could lead to discrimination against gay people and other groups. But, supporters say it would reinforce religious freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Senate Bill 2681 is called the “Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” and it’s similar to a bill that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed last week after critics said the measure could lead to anti-gay discrimination.

The Mississippi bill passed the state Senate Jan. 31 and faces a Tuesday deadline in the House Judiciary B Committee.

Gulflive
3/3/14