MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama House has passed a bill that would ban lawsuits against restaurants or grocery stores that blame the merchants of providing the food that caused a person to gain weight.

The House voted 70-16 for the bill by Rep. Mike Jones of Andalusia that bans lawsuits that blame restaurants or stores for making person fat.

Democratic Rep. Demetrius Newton of Birmingham said he opposes attempts to "close the courthouse" door to those jwho want to file lawsuits.

Newton said he viewed the bill as an attempt to stop lawsuit by those who claim that McDonald's made them fat.

The bill now goes to the Senate for debate.