California is considering a new bill that would remove a longstanding exemption from anti-discrimination lawsuits for religious colleges and universities.
The bill could potentially expose schools to civil rights lawsuits from students and employees, according to a report in the Associated Press.
Opponents of the bill, which include some schools, say it is an attack on religious liberty as the exemption allows them to craft campus policies in line with their faith. Religious institutions can currently assign housing through sex, and not on gender identity, and institute moral codes that include sexuality provisions.
Supporters of the bill say it will create a safe space for LGBT students and that students who attend religious colleges should get the same rights as students at other schools.
Heads of religious colleges told the AP that the legislation would prevent them from signing an agreement with the schools to get state funding for low-income students.
The bill comes as red states have considered or approved laws that conservatives say strengthen religious freedoms. Supporters say such laws enable people to deny services that would violate religious beliefs, while opponents say they enable discrimination against LGBT individuals.
One such law in Mississippi was struck down earlier this month by a federal judge. The law would have condoned discrimination against the LGBT community, according to the judge’s opinion.
