-- Voting 67 to 28, the Alabama House today approved a bill that would allow certain religiously affiliated employers to opt out the Affordable Care Act's mandate that they cover contraception for their employees.

Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville, House Bill 108 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

In direct contradiction with the Affordable Care Act championed by President Obama, it would exempt "religiously affiliated or motivated employers" from providing contraceptive or abortion-inducing drugs or devices, either directly or through an insurance policy.

If passed, the bill would become The Religious Liberty Act of 2013, drawing authority from the first amendment, which guarantees freedom of religion.

"While legal requirements for health care are important, no government has a compelling interest that requires a citizen to violate his or her religious beliefs regarding contraception and abortion," it reads.

Democratic opponents argued during hours of debate that the bill was plainly unconstitutional and would face federal court challenges, costing the state thousands or millions in legal fees if enacted.

"If you want to set up a fight between the state of Alabama and the federal government, I think the state of Alabama is going to lose," said Rep. James Buskey, D-Mobile.

Democrats also argued the bill unfairly targets women by excluding them from certain medical coverage while not impacting men and by forcing women to disclose personal medical information to their employers if the contraceptives are for purposes other than birth control.

Despite suggestions from multiple opponents during debate, the Democrats did not formally introduce an amendment to include erectile-dysfunction drugs or surgical contraceptive procedures in the bill.

Greer said he did not see how they were related.

"I don't see how you can relate it to a male. I just don't," he said.

The bill defines religiously affiliated or motivated employers as any entity "operated by a church, ministry or other organization with religious tenets, objectives and motivations."

It also includes any business that has no more than 10 shareholders, members or partners "who have religious beliefs which appose contraceptive or abortifacient drugs, devices or methods."