A controversial bill that critics claim legalizes discrimination against gays and lesbians is on the verge of becoming law in Indiana, the Indianapolis Star reported.

The Republican-controlled Indiana House on Monday approved the legislation, which purports to protect religious freedom by prohibiting state and local governments from "substantially burdening" a person's exercise of faith.

Indiana's state Senate already approved a slightly different version of the bill last month, and the upper house plans to concur with the House language as early as this week; Gov. Mike Pence, meanwhile, promised on Monday that he would sign the legislation.

If the bill becomes law, state and local governments will have to prove a compelling interest if they adopt measures that could interfere with a resident's religious freedom; their actions will also have to meet the standard of being the least restrictive means.

Opponents say that the bill's language amounts to a license discriminate and that gays and lesbians would likely stand to be victims of discrimination.

"It basically says to a group of people you're second rate, you don't matter, and if you walk into my store, I don't have to serve you," said Minority Leader Scott Pelath, a Democrat from Michigan City.

Jason Collins, a retired professional athlete who played 13 seasons in the NBA before he came out as gay after the 2013 tournament, publicly questioned the legislation, according to the Washington Post.

"Is it going to be legal for someone to discriminate against me and others when we come to the Final Four?" Collins wondered in a tweet addressed to Pence.

Supporters of the Indiana bill, meanwhile, insist the legislation will protect people and businesses from government intrusion, the Indianapolis Star noted.

"It's important that we allow our citizens to hold religious beliefs, maybe even those we might be appalled by, and to be able to express those," argued Tom Washburne, a Republican from Inglefield.

A number of states have recently adopted laws related to religious freedom, the Washington Post recalled.

Utah lawmakers this month adopted a compromise position when they passed a bill banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people while shielding religious institutions that stand against homosexuality, the newspaper detailed.