A controversial religious freedom bill is back up for debate in the state Legislature. A state Senate panel held a hearing on the legislation Tuesday. It’s similar to a law recently adopted in Indiana that sparked widespread controversy.
State Senator Steve Bieda is the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says it’s unwise to take up the bill – especially after the backlash in Indiana.
“The fact that we’re taking it up is kind of akin to somebody that watches somebody pick up a live wire and then they get fried. And then, after that person drops dead into a burnt crisp, they decide to do the same thing. It wouldn’t make sense for us to do this," he says.
Supporters say it would simply protect religious practices from government interference – not allow businesses to discriminate.
Governor Rick Snyder has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk without including LGBT protections.
