Controversial Religious Objection Bill Hits Snag In House

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A religious objections bill, similar to laws that stirred controversy in Arkansas and Indiana, is running into roadblocks with the Louisiana  Legislature.

Though it's supported by Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, the "Marriage and Conscience Act" is opposed by Senate President John Alario, a Westwego Republican.

And as lawmakers opened their legislative session Monday, the bill wasn't sent to a House committee. That stalls the measure, at least temporarily, from getting a public hearing or legislative vote.

The proposal by Rep. Mike Johnson, a Bossier City Republican, would prohibit the state from denying licenses, contracts or tax deductions in response to actions someone takes because of beliefs about marriage.

Jindal describes the bill as protecting "religious liberty." Critics say it would allow discrimination against same-sex married couples on moral grounds.

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