Turning to state legislative news, a granite monument of the Ten Commandments could soon be returned to the Capitol in Frankfurt.

Yesterday, the full House passed a joint resolution to allow the monument to be on display on the Capitol grounds and Monument Park.

The monument was a gift from the Fraternal Order of Eagles back in 1971.

An amendment put forward by a Lexington Democrat that would ensure other organizations could also donate monuments that related to other religions for display was defeated.

And today, state lawmakers advanced a religious liberty bill, much to the dismay of LGBTQ and civil rights advocates.

Our June Leffler is in Frankfort and has more.

Senate Bill 60 would empower citizens to sue their government when they feel their religious beliefs are under attack.

A northern Kentucky Republican explains his bill.

Government actions that burden religious exercise must be justified by clear and convincing evidence of a compelling interest.

And then there's expanded remedies.

Individuals who whose religious exercise has been burdens may seek appropriate relief, which shall include costs and attorney's fees.

Constitutional law professor who worked for a federal Civil Rights Commission says this bill does not ensure liberties for all.

And so I come to you today very much sympathetic to the idea that religious freedom needs to be protected.

Religious liberty against government intrusion or burdening.

But Kentucky law already does that.

An LGBTQ organization in Kentucky also testifies against Senate Bill 60, saying it would erode local fairness ordinances.

Those protect housing and employment of gay and transgender people, which more than 20 Kentucky cities have adopted.

Senate Bill 60 allows all state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies to be subverted by someone asserting religious freedom, including domestic violence laws, property laws, trespass laws, civil rights laws, contract laws, and so many more.

A Louisville Rabbi questions if this bill would harm Jews and other religious minorities.

As a religious minority to the experiences and unfortunate level of hate.

I am disturbed that SB SB 60 could be interpreted to supersede local anti-discrimination laws and ordinances.

If a Christian landlord decided they did not want Jewish or Muslim tenants because our beliefs were and were abhorrent to them, would that be permissible under this bill?

If a person were to aggressively solicit my synagogue attempting to convert us something that happens through mail and in person to the point of harassment.

But the police officer who arrived decided that his own religious views aligned with those who were doing the harassing.

Where would be our redress under this law?

The Alliance Defending Freedom speaks in favor of the bill.

The national group litigated and won cases in the U.S. Supreme Court for a baker and web designer who refused to serve gay clients.

Jack Phillips of the Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, welcomed gay customers.

He sold baked goods to gay customers.

He sold them to same sex couples.

What he would not do was to create a custom cake in celebration of a same sex wedding, because that was inconsistent with his religious beliefs.

The Senate Judiciary passed the measure.

The Constitution, the way I understand it, is in place to protect the people from the government, not the government, from the people.

One Democrat voted against the measure in committee.

Senate Bill 60 now heads to the full Senate.

The bill's sponsor pushed a similar bill last year that did not become law.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Jim Leffler.