The state Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would extend Wyoming's anti-discrimination protections to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle reports that Tuesday's 4-1 vote was preceded by debate over expanding the bill's exemptions beyond churches and ministerial organizations.

Republican Sen. Dave Kinskey of Sheridan proposed an amendment to expand exemptions to charities, religious-based hospitals, nonprofits and for-profit businesses. Cherie Doak of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services said such an exemption could make it difficult to investigate allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kinskey said he will work to get a version of his amendment added to the bill when it hits the Senate floor.