What is the 'Religious Freedom' Law Approved in Indiana?

Indiana Governor Mike Pence stated that he will support legislation that will clarify the intent of a new law in the state that has been criticized widely.

On March 26, 2015, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) which was highly criticized for opening the gates that would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. With said law in place, business owners might discriminate and refuse to serve gay and lesbian customers. The law will officially become effective on July 1, unless there is a compelling need and reasons for it not to.

NBC News reported that Pence shared that he discussed with various legislative leaders the possibility of a clarification bill that will focus on the new religious freedom law that he just signed. According to Pence, it is not his plan to make gay and lesbian residents in Indiana a protected legal class. Pence insisted that the Religious Freedom law does not support state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Pence said in a report by IndyStar, "I support religious liberty, and I support this law. But we are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there's a way to clarify the intent of the law."

Pence said that the economic health and image of Indiana have already been damaged by the controversy. He expects the clarification bill to be introduced at the General Assembly by the start of April. When the law was signed, thousands rallied at the Statehouse to oppose it. The passage of the RFRA also prevented the expansion of certain key businesses in the state.

Pence said in the same IndyStar report, "I just can't account for the hostility that's been directed at our state. I've been taken aback by the mischaracterizations from the outside the state of Indiana about what is in this bill."

He shared that 19 other states and the federal government have adopted RFRA laws that were the same as the one he signed. The proposal to clarify the intent of the new law and Pence's support for it will be an important step in resolving the issue.

The Indiana Governor said that the law is not about discrimination, but about protecting religious liberty and providing access to people to the judicial system. He added that Hoosier hospitality is about making people feel welcome when coming to Indiana and that they plan to continue doing that to bring in new investments.