Anti-discrimination bill narrowly advances in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A New Orleans senator's proposal seeking to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or disability has narrowly passed its first test.

Democratic Sen. J.P. Morrell's bill would rework Louisiana's existing anti-discrimination laws and broaden them to cover LGBT groups and people with disabilities.

A Senate judiciary committee voted 2-1 Tuesday to advance the measure for full Senate debate, with several senators absent.

Supporters say the public widely supports anti-discrimination practices and Morrell's bill would streamline current law and create best practices across Louisiana industries.

Business groups and the Louisiana Family Forum oppose the measure, but no organization representatives testified against the proposal.

Also pending on the Senate floor is a bill that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Senate Bill 332: www.legis.la.gov

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The Gayly - 5/10/2016 @ 1:51 p.m. CDT