Senate Bill 175 (Kansas Legislature 2016 Legislative Session)
Senate Bill 175 is a 2016 Kansas legislative proposal that would prohibit public universities to "deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other student association" based on those organizations' "sincerely held religious beliefs"[1] This bill is intended to protect student organizations who restrict membership in regards to LGBT students, which critics argue is discriminatory.[2]
Legislative history
On March 19, 2015, Kansas Senate passed, with a 30 yeas, 8 nays, and 2 absent or not voting, Senate Bill 175. On March 16, 2016, the Kansas House of Representatives passed, with 81 yeas, 41 nays, and 3 absent or not voting, SB 175. On March 22, 2016, Governor Sam Brownback signed the bill and it is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2016.[1]
Response
On March 16, 2016, Human Rights Campaign blasted the Kansas House of Representatives for passing SB 175.[3]