Indiana governor wants changes to religious-objections law

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence holds a news conference at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 26, 2015. Pence has signed into law a religious objections bill that some convention organizers and business leaders have opposed amid concern it could allow discrimination against gay people.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence holds a news conference at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 26, 2015. Pence has signed into law a religious objections bill that some convention organizers and business leaders have opposed amid concern it could allow discrimination against gay people.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday that he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the week to clarify that a new religious-freedom law does not allow discrimination.

Pence said he has been meeting with lawmakers “around the clock” to address concerns that the law will allow businesses to deny services to gays.

The governor acknowledged that Indiana has a “perception problem” over the law but defended it as a vehicle to protect religious liberty.

“I don’t believe for a minute that it was the intent of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate,” he said. “It certainly wasn’t my intent.”

But, Pence said, he “can appreciate that that’s become the perception, not just here in Indiana but all across the country. We need to confront that.”

The law signed by Pence last week 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.

Read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Reader poll

Do you agree with HB1228, Arkansas' Religious Freedom Restoration Act?

  • Yes; it's an important protection for those who wish to exercise sincerely held religious beliefs. 19%
  • No; it will allow businesses to discriminate against members of the LGBT community. 72%
  • No, but it can be remedied with language saying the legislation specifically has no discriminatory intent. 7%
  • I have no position. 1%
  • Other (please comment) 1%

8161 total votes.

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