Bills heard and approved in two hours by a Michigan Senate committee Wednesday could allow religious adoption agencies to refuse to work with same sex couples, reports Iron Mountain Daily News.

Three bills – which passed 4-1 along party lines – would also prevent governments from refusing to license or provide funding for adoption agencies that exercise such objections. The GOP-led House passed the bills last month.

Supporters say the legislation won’t prevent anyone from adopting because faith-based agencies that choose not to work with gay people would refer them to other places.

However, Sommer Foster, director of political advocacy for Equality Michigan, said the bills represent “an attempt to write religious discrimination into Michigan law.”

Sen. Bert Johnson (right), the only Democrat on the committee, offered amendments that would have prohibited agencies from denying placement if it’s not in the best interest of the child, make public cases in which they would deny services and comply with federal and state civil rights acts.

All six amendments were voted down.