Religious freedom bill moves forward in West Virginia

The West Virginia House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill intended to allow residents to challenge government regulations they believe interfere with their religious freedom. If the Equal Protection for Religion Act becomes law, it would provide a basis for individuals, churches, or other groups to contest state and local laws that hinder the exercise of religion. House representatives voted along party lines 86-12 to pass the bill, and it will now go before the state Senate for further discussion. A similar bill went before the West Virginia Senate in 2016 where it was amended and ultimately voted down.

Has the bill faced opposition? A group of citizens on Friday spoke in opposition to the bill during a public hearing. Critics said the bill would override anti-discrimination laws adopted by some West Virginia cities, particularly laws written for LGBTQ people. Supporters of the act said it would protect people of faith from government requirements or policies that are overreaching or not consistent with their religious beliefs.

Dig deeper: Read Mike Berry’s column in WORLD Opinions about the importance of religious liberty in the United States.