Thursday, February 12, 2009

A Senate committee is considering a bill that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

But Pete Brungardt, chairman of the Senate Federal and State Government Committee, said Thursday the committee won't revisit the bill unless there are enough votes to send it to the Senate for debate.

The Salina Republican said he hasn't polled the committee to see how much support the bill has. A similar bill two years ago didn't get out of the committee, but the panel's makeup has changed since then.

Supporters said it would help end discrimination that can result in people being harassed or losing their jobs. Opponents said it would create a protected class of citizens.