Video & story: Divisive religious freedom bill passes House largely on party lines

INDIANAPOLIS – The controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed the House Monday (March 23) and needs just one final vote before heading to the governor to be signed into law.

Supporters say the bill will provide Indiana courts with clearer standards for evaluating cases that involve individuals or businesses that are openly expressing their religious beliefs. But opponents say it will allow businesses and others to openly discriminate, particularly against people who are gay.

 

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City said the bill has unintended consequences and lawmakers know what they are.

Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said the religious freedom bill is not about discrimination but about protecting Hoosiers' rights. Photo by Adrianna Pitrelli, TheStatehouseFile.com

Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said the religious freedom bill is not about discrimination but about protecting Hoosiers’ rights. Photo by Adrianna Pitrelli, TheStatehouseFile.com

Opponents of a bill that's meant to protect religious rights protested Monday outside the House, which passed the measure. Opponents say the bill invites discrimination. photo by Alec Gray, TheStatehouseFile.com

Opponents of a bill that’s meant to protect religious rights protested Monday outside the House, which passed the measure. Opponents say the bill invites discrimination. Photo by Alec Gray, TheStatehouseFile.com

“This is a made up issue,” he said. “It’s an issue made up for the purpose of being able to go in front of a few Indiana citizens and thump your chest that you stood up for certain social causes.”

Pelath also said supporters of the bill are sending a message that discrimination is acceptable.

“It basically says to a group of people that you’re second rate, you don’t matter, and if you walk into my store, I don’t have to serve you,” Pelath said. “That is old-fashioned thinking at best. It is dangerous reactionary thinking at worst.”

But Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said the bill isn’t about discrimination. He said it’s designed to help courts deal with religious freedom issues and to help Hoosiers exercise their religious rights.

McMillin said there is a lack of clarity in Indiana law and SB 101 provides framework to help clarify issues within cases.

“Nobody in this state wants to discriminate,” McMillin said. “Nobody in this General Assembly is advocating a bill to allow people to discriminate. Everybody wants the opportunity for people to practice the rights that they’re supposed to have in this country.”

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody said in a statement that, by passing RFRA, the state has legalized discrimination in Indiana.

“The so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act sets us on a dangerous, regressive course, and the ensuing court battles will take away valuable time, money, and effort that should be invested in moving us forward,” Zody said. “This is a sad day for Indiana – and sadder still is Gov. Pence’s commitment to sign it into law when it reaches his desk. In fact, it’s disgraceful.”

But Indiana Right to Life issued a statement lauding the bill’s passage.

“We believe this is an important bill to protect pro-life Hoosiers,” said Right to Life President Mike Fichter. He said the bill will, for example, “will allow a pro-life print shop owner to decline making posters for a pro-abortion rally or a caterer to decline serving meals at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser.”

The bill passed the House 63-31. Because the House amended the language slightly, it must go back to the Senate, which is expected to vote to accept the changes. That will send the bill to the governor, who has said he will sign it.

 

Article writer Alec Gray is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.