Religious Freedom Restoration Act Testimony Set To Begin

A legislative committee in Lansing this week will open testimony on a proposal that could exempt people from certain laws if those laws violate their religious beliefs.

Under the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” proposal before the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, exceptions would be allowed if there is a “compelling governmental” interest.

Supporters say this is to replace a similar federal law that had been thrown out by the courts and the Supreme Court said it would be up to the states to replace the protection.
Opponents say such a law would be a license to discriminate against gays and others.

While Republican leaders have scheduled testimony on the proposal, they have not said if or when there would be a vote on it.