CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada lawmakers are dropping two bills that would enact religious protections into state law that opponents criticized as opening the door for discrimination.
Republican Assemblyman Erv Nelson said no hearings would be scheduled for AB 277 or SB 272 both of which would enact a version of federal religious protections.
Nelson said recent outcry over a similar law in Indiana and existing provisions in the Nevada constitution helped solidify his decision to not pursue the bill.
The proposals would enact portions of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act into state law and prevents governments from infringing on a person's religious rights without a compelling interest.
Critics of the bills said it would open the door to possible discrimination against LGBT people and would roll back Nevada's progressive discrimination protection laws.
