A bill that would have let Nebraska work-camp inmates perform labor for charities, fraternal groups and nonprofits is dead after an opponent added a requirement that the groups can't discriminate based on sexual orientation.
The bill was killed Wednesday during floor debate in the Nebraska Legislature.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha had been filibustering to kill the measure, saying it would allow private groups to exploit free prison labor. On Tuesday, Chambers tagged the bill with the sexual orientation amendment.
Supporters said the bill would let inmates work on projects that benefit the public.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Mark Christensen, has said he wasn't expecting lawmakers to approve the amendment. Christensen opposed the amendment and on Wednesday the bill was laid over for the session.
