Miss. House Panel Advances Religious Practice Bill

A Mississippi House panel has advanced a bill that says state and local government cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices.

Supporters say the bill would reinforce religious freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, but opponents worry it could lead to anti-gay discrimination.

Senate Bill 2681 is called the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

It passed the House Judiciary B Committee on Tuesday and goes the full House for debate in the next few days.

In its original form, the bill was similar to a measure that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed last week.

The Mississippi bill would add the motto "In God We Trust" to the state seal.