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Indiana prohibits cities from passing LGBT anti-discrimination ordinances

Bill: SB0213 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Boots, and signed into law in 2013 by Governor Pence, SB0213 (Public Law 88) states, “Unless federal or state law provides otherwise, a unit may not establish, mandate, or otherwise require an employer to provide to an employee who is employed within the jurisdiction of the unit: (1) a benefit; (2) a term of employment; (3) a working condition; or (4) an attendance or leave policy; that exceeds the requirements of federal or state law, rules, or regulations.”

Also: “Indiana lawmakers prohibit cities from passing own civil rights employment ordinances”

“LGBT activists worried Indiana bill would strike down employment discrimination policies enacted by cities”

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Tennessee college groups get full religious freedom

Bill: HB0534/SB0802 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Beavers and Rep. Pody, and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Haslam, HB0534/SB0802 prohibits public institutions of higher education from denying recognition, privileges or benefits to a student organization or group on the basis of religious content of the organization’s or group’s speech or the manner in which the organization or group determines its organizational affairs.

Also: “Tennessee considers bill to allow religious discrimination in college student groups”

“College nondiscrimination ban headed to Haslam”

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Kentucky citizens get full religious freedom restored

Bill: HB279 (PDF)

Sponsored by Rep. Damron, and passed into law in 2013 by an override of Gov. Beshear’s veto, HB279 (Public Act Ch. 111) states, “Government shall not substantially burden a person’s freedom of religion. The right to act or refuse to act in a manner motivated by a sincerely held religious belief may not be substantially burdened unless the government proves by clear and convincing evidence that it has a compelling governmental interest in infringing the specific act or refusal to act and has used the least restrictive means to further that interest. A ‘burden’ shall include indirect burdens such as withholding benefits, assessing penalties, or an exclusion from programs or access to facilities.”

Also: “Kentucky House, Senate Vote to Override Veto of HB 279″

“Kentuckians’ religious freedom restored after legislative override of governor’s veto”

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Idaho student groups get full religious freedom on college campuses

Bill: SB1078 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sens. McKenzie, Nuxoll, et al., and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Butch Otter, SB1078 (Ch. 190) states that, “No state postsecondary educational institution shall take any action or enforce any policy that would deny a religious student group any benefit available to any other student group based on the religious student group’s requirement that its leaders adhere to its sincerely held religious beliefs or standards of conduct.”

Also: “Idaho advances religious student group bill”

“Student religious groups bill clears House by 56-11 vote”

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Virginia gets religious freedom on campus, groups free to decide own membership

Bill: SB1074/HB1617 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Obenshain and Reps. Gilbert and Cole, and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Bob McDonnell, SB1074/HB1617 (Ch. 701) permits religious or political student organizations at public institutions of higher education to determine that only persons committed to the organization’s mission may conduct certain activities. The bill also prohibits public institutions of higher education from discriminating against a student organization that makes such a determination.

Also: “Va. Senate OKs bill to let college clubs discriminate”

“House version of bill allowing student discrimination passes Va. Senate”

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Tennessee ‘Classroom Protection Act’ to block LGBT agenda from grade school classes

Bill: SB0234 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Campfield, SB0234 (“Classroom Protection Act”) states that grade levels pre-K through eighth grade must limit sexual eduction instruction to the biological aspect of human sexual reproduction only. SB0234 does not prohibit school counselors, nurses, or principals from counseling students on complex issues of human sexuality, provided that parents are notified.

Also: “Senator Stacey Campfield files retooled homosexuality in classroom bill”

“Tenn. senator’s bill revives ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight”

“Tennessee bill keeps gay agenda out of K-8 grade school instruction”

“Tennessee senator revives ‘Don’t say gay’ fight”

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Virginia adoption agencies may refuse adoptions to LGBT applicants

Bill: HB189 (PDF)

Sponsored by Del. Marshall et al., and signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell, HB189 (Chapter 690) states that no private child-placing agency shall be required to perform or participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies. Under HB189, the state of Virginia is prohibited from denying or revoking a license if the agency cites a religious or moral objection to certain adoption applicants, including LGBT applicants.

Also: “Liberal caucus denounces HB189 as LGBT discrimination”

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North Carolina bans gay marriage and civil unions with constitutional amendment

Bill: SB106/SB514 (Same-sex Marriage Amendment 1)

A legislatively-referred ballot measure sponsored by Sens. Forrester, Tillman, Soucek, and Brunstetter; and passed into law in 2012 by 61 percent of voters; North Carolina’s Same-sex Marriage Amendment 1 states that “marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”

Also: “North Carolina Same-Sex Marriage, Amendment 1 (May 2012)”

“North Carolina passes amendment banning same-sex marriage”

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Tennessee passes abstinence-based sex education by overwhelming margins

Bill: SB3310/HB3621 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Jim Gotto, et al., and signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam, SB3310/HB3621 provides for abstinence-based sex education in Tennessee public schools. Teachers or special interest groups that promote teen sexual activity are subject to legal damages, court costs, and a civil fine of up to $500.

Also: “Tennessee governor signs abstinence education bill into law”

“Tennessee passes abstinence-centered sexual education bill”

“Gateway sexual activity’ spurs legislator debate, national attention”

“Abstinence-centered sexual education bill heads to governor for signature”

“Abstinence and Sex Ed policy by state”

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Tennessee ensuring religious freedom for college students

Bill: SB3597/HB3576 (PDF)

Sponsored by Senator Beavers and Rep. Mark Pody, but vetoed by Gov. Haslam due to the bill’s application to private institutions, SB3597/HB3576 prohibits certain colleges and universities from denying recognition, privileges or benefits to a student organization or group on the basis of religious content of the organization’s or group’s speech, or based on the manner in which the organization or group determines its organizational affairs.

Despite the veto, Gov. Haslam signaled he would support this bill if it applied only to public universities, saying, “While I don’t agree with Vanderbilt’s policy, as someone who strongly believes in limited government, I think it is inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.”

Also: “Gov. Haslam vetoes bill targeting private university Vanderbilt, suggests bill should target public universities only”

“Vanderbilt’s policy change: confronting discrimination or infringing on religious freedom?”

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Tennessee prohibits local governments from imposing anti-discrimination policies

Bill: HB600/SB632 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers and Rep. Glen Casada, et al., and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, HB600/SB632 (Public Chapter No.278) established the “Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act” to prohibit local governments and subdivisions from enacting antidiscrimination rules, ordinances or resolutions.

The Act amends Tennessee code (Title 4, Chapter 21, Part 1; Title 5; Title 6 and Title 7) by including the following addition: (1) “No local government shall by ordinance, resolution, or any other means impose on or make applicable to any person an anti-discrimination practice, standard, definition, or provision that shall deviate from, modify, supplement, add to, change, or vary in any manner from: (A) The definition of ‘discriminatory practices’ in § 4-21- 102 or deviate from, modify, supplement, add to, change, or vary any term used in such definition and also as defined in such section; or (B) Other types of discrimination recognized by state law but only to the extent recognized by the state. (2) Any such practice, standard, definition, or provision imposed or made applicable to any person by a local government prior to the effective date of this act shall be null and void.”

Also: “Governor Haslam signs bill striking local antidiscrimination laws”

“Tennessee Governor signs bill ending local anti-discrimination ordinances”

“Tennessee Chamber of Commerce backs bill overturning Nashville non-discrimination ordinance”

“Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act passes both houses, repeals local non-discrimination ordinances”

“Tennessee Anti-Gay Bill Backed By State Chamber Of Commerce”

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Tennessee Don’t Say Gay bill to keep LGBT agenda out of classrooms

Bill: SB0049/HB0229 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Campfield, Rep. Hensley, et al., HB2009/SB0049 states, “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.”

Also: “Tennessee lawmakers advance ‘don’t say gay’ bill”

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Wisconsin gets abstinence-focused sex education

Bill: SB237 (Public Act No.216 (text)

Sponsored by Sen. Mary Lazich and Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker, SB237 requires schools that teach sex education to promote marriage and tell students that abstinence is the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The bill also allows schools the freedom to teach abstinence-only courses.

Also: “Assembly approves measures on sex education”

“Abstinence and Sex Ed policy by state”

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Utah schools await abstinence-only sex education bill

Bill: HB363 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Margaret Dayton and Rep. Bill Wright, HB363 requires human sexuality instruction or instructional programs to teach and stress the importance of abstinence from all sexual activity before marriage and fidelity after marriage as the only sure methods for preventing certain communicable diseases. The bill also requires the teaching of personal skills that encourage individual choice of abstinence and fidelity. HB363 imposes certain restrictions for human sexuality instructional programs: it permits a local school board or charter school governing board to adopt abstinence only instructional materials recommended by the State Board of Education and or the school district’s or charter school’s curriculum materials review committee.

Also: “Shock: Utah Gov.Herbert vetoes popular abstinence-only sex ed bill”

“Utah lawmakers pass bill to curb sex education in schools”

“HB363 sex-ed bill is about protecting Utah children”

“Abstinence and Sex Ed policy by state”