The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on a bill meant to protect the rights of religious student groups at public universities. SB 160, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson (R – Cape Fair), would prevent universities from denying a religious student group the same benefits as other student groups on campus. Specifically, the bill prohibits discrimination against a belief-based student association based on its requirement that leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held beliefs, sincere practice requirements, or standards of conduct. The bill must be voted out of committee before it can go to the full Senate for debate.
Its House counterpart, HB 875, sponsored by Rep. Darin Chappell (R – Rogersville), was heard on January 27, and voted out of the House Emerging Issues Committee on February 3 by a vote of 10-2.
The MCC testified in support of both bills.