Kansas House Bill 2453
Proposed 2014 Kansas law
Kansas House Bill 2453, also known as the Religious Freedom Act, is a piece of legislation proposed in the state of Kansas that would allow people to refuse to provide services in any way related to any relationship (same-sex or otherwise) under the name "marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement" if their objection to doing so is based on their religious beliefs. Representative Charles Macheers (R-Shawnee) introduced the legislation on January 16, 2014. It passed in the House but was not taken up by the Kansas Senate.
Background
Kansas does not have any legislation preventing discrimination on the basis of either sexual orientation and gender identity. Based on an executive order by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (in government employment only) since 2007, and has since been repealed on February 10, 2015 by another Executive Order by the Governor of Kansas Sam Brownback.
Although same-sex marriage is now legal throughout the United States since June 26, 2015, under the Obergefell v. Hodges decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. Supporters of this legislation felt religious individuals and institutions needed protection from getting sued or otherwise punished for denying services to gay and lesbian couples.
Provisions
The legislation says that no individual or religious entity shall be required by any governmental entity to do any of the following, if it would be contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the individual or religious entity regarding sex or gender:
Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges; provide counseling, adoption, foster care and other social services; or provide employment or employment benefits, related to, or related to the celebration of, any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement.
Solemnize any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement.
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