Indianapolis, In. — The Indiana Senate has agreed to send a hate crimes bill to the governor by a vote of 34-14. Senate Bill 198, initially addressing prison drug offenses, would make tougher penalties for defendants if their crimes were motivated by a real or perceived characteristic, trait, belief, practice, association, or other attributes, including but limited to color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation.
Instead of including the list in the bill, it references the list currently in Indiana law. Some lawmakers expressed displeasure that the bill did not include gender identity, sex, age and ancestry.
“Criminals who attempt to instill fear by attacking others based, for example, on who someone loves, who they are, how they identify, how they pray, should know their sentences can, and I believe should, be enhanced to the fullest extent of the law,” Governor Eric Holcomb said.
Indiana Democrat Party chairman John Zody says, “Governor Holcomb has always lacked the influence to move the needle with his GOP peers on hate crimes. Now it’s up to him to show the backbone it takes to stick to his principles. In 2018, he warned passing an incomplete hate crimes bill could spark RFRA 2.0. In January, he called on lawmakers to pass a complete hate crimes bill. Now, he has a choice: take a principled stand and veto the bill or declare an empty victory.”
