After intense pressure from the business community, top Indiana Republican legislators Thursday proposed changes to the state’s religious freedom law making it clear businesses can’t discriminate.
The original law, signed a week ago by Gov. Mike Pence, has drawn sharp criticism from around the country. Critics saw it as a way businesses could refuse service to gays.
Pence said earlier this week he would seek changes, and Thursday, the state’s Republican legislative leaders said they would try to amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Their plan would bar service providers, notably businesses, from using the law as a way to refuse to provide services or goods to anyone. The measure also prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national original, sexual orientation, gender identity. Churches and church-affiliated schools would not be affected.
The Indianapolis Star reported Thursday that Senate President Pro Tem David Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma, both Republicans, discussed the plan at a news conference. The change must win approval from a conference, or negotiating committee, then the legislature and Pence.
The Star reported that Bosma said, "Hoosier hospitality had to be restored," and apologized to the community for the damage sustained in aftermath of the law’s passage.
“Is the damage able to be turned back? That remains to be seen," Bosma said.
"It was never intended to discriminate against anyone," Long said. "That perception led to the national protests we've seen."
Comments