APIndiana News

Indiana Senate removes list of biases from hate crimes bill

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana’s state Senate has removed sexual orientation, gender identity, race and a list of other characteristics from a hate crimes bill.

The Republican-majority body voted Tuesday on amendments which would have allowed judges to impose additional penalties against anyone convicted of committing crimes fueled by those and other biases.

The Senate voted to add that judges can consider bias, more generally, as an aggravating circumstance.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb supported the original bill and said the version approved Tuesday “does not get Indiana off the list of states without a bias crime law.”

Georgia, South Carolina, Wyoming, and Arkansas also do not have hate crime laws.

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody criticized Holcomb and said “leaders find a way to bridge the divide and get things done.”

Related posts

Governor Congratulates Justice Loretta Rush on Selection as New Chief Justice

Kayla Blakeslee

UPDATE: One man hospitalized after high-speed chase through Roanoke

Kayla Blakeslee

Democrats Battle Over Lt. Governor Nomination

Mike Wilson

Leave a Comment