A religious liberty bill is a step closer to becoming law in Kentucky.

Today, the full Senate voted 29 to 7 in favor of Senate Bill 60.

It would empower citizens to sue their government when they feel their religious beliefs are under attack.

A former state representative who is serving in his first term as a state senator, explained his bill today on the Senate floor.

The bill reinforces a fundamental truth religious liberty is the core of American values.

If the government opposes a substantial burden on someone sincere religious beliefs, it should bear the burden of proving a compelling interest and using the least restrictive means.

That has always been the standard.

A number of Democrats argued the bill targets the LGBTQ community.

They worry it could erode local fairness ordinances that have been passed in more than 20 Kentucky cities.

It's designed to wipe out all fairness ordinances and expose members of the LGBTQ community again to second class citizenship.

Now, this is the second time we've done this in this session.

We just did a little over a week ago with Senate Bill two.

And why we want to continue to vilify those individuals who've done nothing wrong, who've done nothing to harm us.

Just confounds me.

The bill passed largely along party lines.

Democratic State Senator Robin Webb joined Republicans in voting for the bill.

And Republican state Senator Chris McDaniel voted against it.

Advocacy groups on both sides of the issue were quick to react to today's news.

David was with the Family Foundation, said, quote, we have seen a number of troubling instances over the last few years where the governor and other Commonwealth officials have sought to restrict the free exercise of religion.

SB 60 offers a stronger path of redress for those citizens who have had their rights infringed upon.

Meanwhile, Chris Hartman with the Fairness Campaign said the bill creates a, quote, jackpot.

Justice for special interest groups which are eager to sue Kentucky cities and counties with local fairness ordinances that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination and, quote.