Kansas Law Protects Religious Groups on College Campuses

The Kansas governor signed legislation that will protect religious groups on college campuses.

The new law allows faith-based college groups to restrict membership to like-minded members.

"This is very good, narrow, targeted piece of legislation that will serve the betterment of our college campuses," said Gov. Sam Brownback.
 
Kansas already had a religious objections law, but it didn't extend to college clubs and organizations.

Critics say the law is an attempt to legalize discrimination, but supporters say it's a victory for religious freedom.

The new law stems from a handful of on-campus incidents in Kansas and other states, including a lawsuit filed by a Christian group at Washburn University.

The university told the group they couldn't require student members to recognize the Bible as the sole Word of God.

The issue emerged after a Mormon student at the Topeka school was not allowed to lead the group's Bible study.

Prior to this legislation the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a California incident.

The Christian Legal Society at the University of California-Hastings College of Law was refused recognition and funding after it required all members to sign a form saying they would abstain from premarital or same-sex sexual conduct.

In a 5-4 decision, the high court backed the university's right to do so.

But the new Kansas law will prevent public colleges and universities from denying religious groups funds or campus resources for limiting their memberships.

Brownback's signature makes Kansas the second state after Oklahoma to have a college-specific law.

The law takes effect in July.