Indiana, Arkansas pass revised religious objection proposals

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Lawmakers in Arkansas and Indiana passed legislation Thursday they hoped would quiet the national uproar over new religious-objections laws opponents say are designed to offer a legal defense for anti-gay discrimination.

The Arkansas House voted 76-17 to adopt a revised bill after Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked for changes in the wake of mounting criticism.

Hutchinson signed it only moments after the vote, saying the new version recognizes "we have a diverse workforce and a diverse culture."

A parallel process played out at the Indiana Capitol as the House and Senate passed changes to a law signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence, who quickly approved the revisions.

"Over the past week, this law has become a subject of great misunderstanding and controversy across our state and nation," Pence said in a statement.

"However we got here, we are where we are, and it is important that our state take action to address the concerns that have been raised and move forward."

The new legislation marks the first time sexual orientation and gender identity have been mentioned in Indiana law.

The Arkansas measure is similar to a bill sent to the governor earlier this week, but Hutchinson said he wanted it revised to more closely mirror a 1993 federal law.

The Indiana amendment prohibits service providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide goods, services, facilities or accommodations.

It also bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or U.S. military service.

The measure exempts churches, affiliated schools and not-for-profit religious organizations.

Business leaders, many of whom had opposed the law or canceled travel to the state because of it, called the amendment a good first step but said more work needs to be done.

Gay-rights groups noted Indiana's civil-rights law still does not include lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people as a protected class.

Former Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson, now a senior vice president at drugmaker Eli Lilly, praised the changes but said the state's image still must be mended.

Democratic leaders said the amendment did not go far enough and repeated their calls to repeal the law.