Campus Religion Bill Scrutinized

The American Civil Liberties Union plans to testify before a Kansas legislative committee against a bill designed to protect religious groups on public college campuses.

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee was having a hearing Monday on the bill. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.

The bill would prohibit state universities, community colleges and technical colleges from refusing to recognize or from denying campus resources to groups that won’t let non-believers join.

The ACLU of Kansas contends the measure would require public colleges to provide support to groups that discriminate.

Supporters say the bill protects groups’ religious liberties. It’s a response to a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision saying that universities can adopt anti-bias policies requiring groups to accept anyone who wants to join.