Doug Richards, WXIA 5:25 PM. EST February 21, 2017 <\/p>\n
Aerial images of the Georgia State Capitol. January 2017 <\/p>\n
ATLANTA -- Georgia senators have introduced a new religious freedom bill. <\/p>\n
SB 233 cites the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed by Congress in 1993 \"and shall in like manner apply to this state or any political subdivision thereof.\" The bill mirrors a controversial bill introduced in 2015 by Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus), \"just an even tighter mirroring by simply citing to the federal language,\" McKoon said in a text message. <\/p>\n
McKoon is one of more than a dozen Republicans co-sponsoring the bill. <\/p>\n
House Speaker David Ralston has expressed a desire to allow Congress to handle religious freedom issues now that Republicans control the Congress and White House. <\/p>\n
Over the last two years, religious freedom has roiled the Capitol. Last year, Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a religious freedom bill after Georgia business leaders raised concerns about losing jobs and business. Gay rights activists have contended that religious freedom bills would encourage discrimination against the LGBT community. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
( 2017 WXIA) <\/p>\n
WXIA <\/p>\n
GA 2016 sponsor: Let feds handle 'religious freedom' legislation in '17 <\/p>\n
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See the article here: <\/p>\n
Georgia Senate introduces new religious freedom bill - 11alive.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Doug Richards, WXIA 5:25 PM. EST February 21, 2017 Aerial images of the Georgia State Capitol. Continue reading