Minnesota faith leaders, GOP say gender identity protections impinge on their religious freedom

Niska offered the same amendment in committee earlier this month, but it was rejected on a party-line vote.

Becker-Finn said she doesn't see religious communities being harmed. "I don't see that happening. Is that happening?" she asked.

Niska was asked the question of harm at his news conference. He said there's currently an open investigation by the state Department of Human Rights into a religious school but he could not disclose details. He also rejected the notion that there has to be damage for the provision to be harmful to religious communities.

Jason Adkins, executive director and general counsel of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, said, "What we're seeing here is an extraordinary intervention by the state" into religion. He said religious communities should have the ability to hire staff "in accordance with mission and beliefs."

Adkins provided a list of organizations supporting restoration of the exemption in addition to his own, including the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Agudath Israel, Islamic Center of Minnesota, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Transform Minnesota, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Association of Christian Schools International, Islamic Association of North America, Minnesota Family Council, True North Legal and the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition.

Rev. Fred Hinz of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, who attended the news conference, said parishioners dislike the provision. He said the values of the faith community should be "given respect, even if we disagree about certain underlying issues."

Niska noted that religious organizations do good throughout the state, feeding the poor and sheltering the homeless. He looked up to the leaders watching in the gallery, saying that "all they're asking for is the ability to operate according to their mission."

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