‘Religious Freedom’ Debate Headed To Louisiana Capitol

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The uproar over religious freedom laws that drew national attention in Indiana and Arkansas appears to be headed to Louisiana.

A newly-elected state lawmaker from Bossier City filed a religious objections bill Friday for consideration in the Louisiana legislative session that begins April 13.

The proposal by Republican Rep. Mike Johnson would ban the state from denying licenses, certifications, employment, contracts, benefits or tax deductions because of actions a person takes "in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction" about marriage.

In a posting on the conservative political blog The Hayride, Johnson said the bill would protect people from penalties by the state because of their beliefs on marriage.

Equality Louisiana, a gay rights organization, said Johnson's proposal would allow individuals and businesses to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender people.