GiaQuinta: Governor should not sign hate crimes bill that fails to protect all Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta from Fort Wayne issued the following statement after the Indiana Senate approved hate crimes legislation (Senate Bill 198) that does not provide protections for all Hoosiers:

“I am disappointed Senate Republicans approved a bill that doesn’t protect all Hoosiers. Once again, there was no debate on this bill and no opportunity for citizens to make their feelings known. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana have made it clear SB 198 will not get Indiana off the list of states without a valid hate crimes law because it is too vague and doesn’t provide a specific list of characteristics that includes age, ancestry, gender and gender identity.

“It is up to the governor now to do the right thing and refuse to sign a hate crimes bill into law that does not protect all Hoosiers. It’s what he has insisted upon since this debate began. We have nearly four more weeks to get this done the right way. It’s what the people of Indiana want and deserve.”