(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers could get a chance this year to debate a bill that would prohibit employers from discriminating based on sexual orientation.

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee advanced the bill Monday with a 5-1 vote. The amended bill by Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln would include an exception for religious organizations, religious schools and religious colleges.

Several conservative senators are planning to fight the bill. After the committee vote on Monday, Sens. Beau McCoy of Omaha and Mark Christensen of Imperial each proposed 11 amendments in an attempt to kill the legislation.

Current state law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status or national origin.