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31st March 2015, 03:35 PM
Arkansas House passes religious freedom bill Bill now heads to governor for signature
The Arkansas House passed HB 1228, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by a vote of 67-21 on Tuesday afternoon.
The house Judiciary Committee approved amendments to the bill Monday.
The measure now heads to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has said he will sign it into law.
The House voted Tuesday to approve the measure, which prohibits state and local governments from infringing on a person's religious beliefs without a "compelling" interest.
Click here to watch Monday's report
Video: Arkansans protest religious freedom bill
Opponents say House Bill 1228 would provide protections to businesses or individuals who refuse to serve someone based on religious beliefs.
“This bill is protecting religion over equal rights,” said Laurent Sacharoff, an associate law professor at the University of Arkansas.
“The goal on the surface is to afford greater protection for religion than the federal constitution,” Sacharoff said.
Sacharoff said the bill would allow a person to use religion as a defense in a lawsuit. Before Monday’s suggested amendments, Sacharoff said HB 1228 is likely about more than just religious freedom protections.
“It’s very hard to see this bill as anything other than a reaction to expanded rights for LGBT,” he said.
If enacted, the move will make Arkansas the second state to enact such a law this year. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a similar bill last week, and 19 other states have comparable measures on the books.
Hundreds of protesters filled the Arkansas Capitol Tuesday urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.
The Arkansas House passed HB 1228, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by a vote of 67-21 on Tuesday afternoon.
The house Judiciary Committee approved amendments to the bill Monday.
The measure now heads to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has said he will sign it into law.
The House voted Tuesday to approve the measure, which prohibits state and local governments from infringing on a person's religious beliefs without a "compelling" interest.
Click here to watch Monday's report
Video: Arkansans protest religious freedom bill
Opponents say House Bill 1228 would provide protections to businesses or individuals who refuse to serve someone based on religious beliefs.
“This bill is protecting religion over equal rights,” said Laurent Sacharoff, an associate law professor at the University of Arkansas.
“The goal on the surface is to afford greater protection for religion than the federal constitution,” Sacharoff said.
Sacharoff said the bill would allow a person to use religion as a defense in a lawsuit. Before Monday’s suggested amendments, Sacharoff said HB 1228 is likely about more than just religious freedom protections.
“It’s very hard to see this bill as anything other than a reaction to expanded rights for LGBT,” he said.
If enacted, the move will make Arkansas the second state to enact such a law this year. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a similar bill last week, and 19 other states have comparable measures on the books.
Hundreds of protesters filled the Arkansas Capitol Tuesday urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.