Ind. Senate Signs Off On House's Amended Hate Crimes Bill; Governor To Sign

Senate Bill 198 appears poised to become the hate crimes law in Indiana.

Indiana Senate

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A hate crimes bill is passing out of the Indiana Statehouse. 

Senate Bill 198 was approved by the Indiana House of Representatives on March 28. It passed the Senate on Tuesday in a 34-14 party-line vote. 

The measure includes color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion and sexual orientation in a list of protected traits, but it does not mention age, sex, or gender identity. If signed into law, it would allow judges to order harsher sentences for criminals who victimize others based only on the listed biases.

GOP Governor Eric Holcomb said he will sign the bill into law as soon as it hits his desk, even though the bill does not include the full enumerated list of traits and characteristics he and Democrats had sought.

Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said the bill is truly inclusive and will provide protections for all Hoosiers.

“By referencing a specific list of characteristics, Senate Bill 198 provides guidance for judges, while still giving them the flexibility to increase the sentence for any bias-motivated crime as they see fit. I’m pleased to see this bill advance to the governor’s desk,” he said.

Democrats say the hate crimes legislation is hollow without the protections for age, sex and gender identity.

“The Republican supermajority showed their true colors this session in regards to their feelings towards our minority communities in this state. It is cowardly to not specify an all-inclusive list,” said Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson).

“I want to remind the supermajority that they will not have the opportunity to boast getting Indiana off the short list of states without a hate crimes law. The Anti-Defamation League said themselves that this does not get us off the list.”

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