State Rep. Randy Frye appeared on Eagle Country 99.3 Monday to discuss a hate crimes bill at the Statehouse.
Indiana State Representative Randy Frye. File photo.
(Indianapolis, Ind.) – State Representative Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) says he won't support a hate crimes bill because it may not provide equal protection for all.
“Do we need it? It depends on who you talk to. There are people who believe that the bill doesn’t go nearly far enough. There are people who believe the bill isn’t necessary at all. I have not been a supporter of this legislation. I’m not convinced yet that it is needed,” Frye said on Eagle Country 99.3 on Monday.
The Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 12 last week. However, the hate crimes bill was first amended – with support from three southeastern Indiana GOP senators – to remove specifically-mentioned human characteristics which may motivate someone to commit a crime against another.
Among those characteristics removed from the legislation were race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bill does not create a new crime for prosecutors to charge suspects with. However, it would allow judges to punish criminals with harsher sentences if it is determined a person was victimized based on the criminal’s bias.
LISTEN TO EAGLE COUNTRY 99.3’S INTERVIEW WITH STATE REP. RANDY FRYE.
SB 12 is now under consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives, where it was assigned Monday to the Courts and Criminal Code Committee. At this time, Frye does not appear likely to support the bill.
“If it does not address everyone equally, then I would not be even remotely interested in supporting it,” said Frye.
Frye added the Constitution already protects everyone equally. A hate crimes bill with specific human characteristics, he adds, goes off into a “dangerous area.”
“Could someone, for instance, preaching a sermon from the pulpit be accused of a hate crime because they preach against a certain lifestyle? That, to me, is very, very troubling so we better be very careful with where we’re going here,” Frye expressed.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has sided with Democrats and the Indiana Forward campaign in their belief that a hate crimes law should include specific characteristics. Last week, Holcomb called on Indiana citizens to contact their legislator and push for the bill’s original language to be restored in the House.
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