Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) released the following statement today regarding House Bill 1597:
“After further consideration, I have decided to withdraw House Bill 1597, known as ‘The Business Protection Act.’ The bill as introduced did not accomplish my desired purpose.
“Across the country, business owners are being sued by individuals who are asking the owner to perform a service or provide a product that is contrary to their deeply held religious beliefs. When these business owners have refused because of conscience, they were then sued having to face legal battles that resulted in their losing their business and even facing jail. I wanted a tort bill that limited damages between the business owner and the customer ensuring that the business owner would not lose their livelihood.
“I will support the efforts of my colleagues who have introduced bills that do what I intended. I will work with the governor, the speaker of the House and Senate pro tempore to protect the business interests of our state so that all our citizens who take the risk of opening a business can prosper and thrive.”
I guess someone finally explained to Kern that Oklahoma businesses already have the right to refuse customers. The fact that Colorado voters voted to amend their Public Accommodation Law has no effect on any other state. How long has she been up there?
John, there lots of laws against refusing to do business with private people coming off the street in general – race, religion, no shoes, no socks, etc.
If the requester is not poking a stick in the eye of the provider, I don’t see a problem.
To me, the crux of the issue is to provide for the right of a business to refuse service to specific groups when considering the group’s reason to hold the service. Should a Republican be required to host a Democratic function? Should a Baptist church be required to host a Muslim function? Should an Afro-American restaurant be required to cater a KKK banquet?