Lawmakers to discuss proposal that could allow business owners to deny service
OLYMPIA -- Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that, depending upon interpretation, could allow businesses to refuse service to customers based on religious beliefs.
The bill is called First Freedom Preservation Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane, and will be discussed at The Law and Justice Committee hearing Wednesday.
Some say the bill was created in response to the case of a Richland florist who refused to serve a gay couple who were planning to marry.
Padden denies the bill stems from that case.
"The bill we'll talk about Wednesday has nothing to do with whether a business can decide who he or she serves," Padden said.
The senator said the bill had more to do with allowing faith-based organizations to use public facilities.
"I'd rather bring state law up to date now than wait until after someone has lodged a complaint about, say, baptisms being performed in a city park.