Indiana plans language to 'clarify' religious objections law

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long, left, (R-Fort Wayne) and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) discuss their plans for clarifying the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act during a press conference at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 30, 2015. Republican legislative leaders in Indiana state say they are working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn't allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long, left, (R-Fort Wayne) and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) discuss their plans for clarifying the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act during a press conference at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 30, 2015. Republican legislative leaders in Indiana state say they are working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn't allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's Republican legislative leaders said Monday that they're working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn't allow discrimination against gays, while Democrats countered that a full repeal is the only way to stem the widespread criticism.

The measure prohibits state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his religious beliefs. The definition of "person" includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.

Businesses and organizations across the country have canceled future travel to Indiana, tabled expansion plans or criticized the legislation. Opponents have taken to social media with the hashtag #boycottindiana.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said during a Monday news conference that similar laws exist across the country and did not generate the backlash that Indiana has seen. Bosma blamed the reaction on a "mischaracterization" of the law by both opponents and some supporters.

"What we had hoped for with the bill was a message of inclusion, inclusion of all religious beliefs," Bosma said. "What instead has come out as a message of exclusion, and that was not the intent."

Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed the measure last week and defended it during a television appearance Sunday but did not directly answer questions about whether it allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Long stressed the new law is based on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 that has been upheld by courts.

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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