JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, has filed legislation that would allow Missouri business owners to refuse service to gay Missourians.

The bill, Senate Bill 916, states that a governmental authority shall not substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion, unless the governmental authority demonstrates that it has a compelling governmental interest.

The bill is similar to legislation that moved in Kansas earlier this month and is being considered now in Arizona. In Arizona, Republican Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed similar legislation last year.

Wallingford, in an interview with the Kansas City Star, said “we’re trying to protect Missourians from attacks on their religious freedom.”

“There should not be discrimination in the workplace,” he said. “But businesses should be free to practice their religious beliefs.”

The legislation stands in stark contrast will a bill that made its way out of the Senate last year (supported by Wallingford) and is being pushed again this year that would provide a cause of action for Missourians who are fired because of their sexual orientation.