California's Christian Colleges Could Look Very Different if Senate Bill 1146 Passes

Julie Brown Patton : Aug 3, 2016
Gospel Herald

"They're putting a gun to our head: 'Either change the way you believe and practice your faith, or you won't be able to participate in Cal Grant. We want a license to be faithful and don't want the state to have a license to discriminate." -John Jackson, president of William Jessup University.

(California)—[Gospel Herald] Senate Bill 1146 being considered by California legislators, if passed, would remove a venerable exemption from anti-discrimination laws for religious institutions, potentially exposing state colleges to civil rights' lawsuits from students and employees. Some university officials say the exemption allows them to develop campus policies that are in-line with their faith, and that this new measure is an attack on their free exercise of religion. Bill supporters say it would be the first law of its kind in the nation and would create a safe space for LGBTQ students and staff. (Photo via Gospel Herald)

At present, religious institutions can assign housing based on sex, not gender identity, as well as discipline students for violating moral codes of conduct, which can include anti-transgender or strict sexuality provisions, reports CBS.
 
Author of SB1146, Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, said it would require universities who are granted a Title IX exemption to disclose that information to the California Student Aid Commission and disseminate the information to students and staff. The bill also would allow an individual who has encountered discrimination at a school claiming a Title IX exemption to pursue a remedy through...
 
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