Republican Governor Eric Holcomb and Democrats have asked for the state legislature to pass a hate crimes law.
(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Despite increasing calls for Indiana to adopt a law allowing harsher punishment for those who commit a hate-motivated crime, a legislative committee is not recommending lawmakers take action on the issue.
The Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code approved a final report last week. It says some members support a bias-motivated criminal statute, but does not call for drafting legislation, reports The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
A hate crimes law would allow judges to hand out harsher sentences to criminals whose unlawful acts are motivated by their victims' race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The lack of a recommendation by the study committee comes despite Republican Governor Eric Holcomb expressing his support for a hate crime law.
Democrats at the Indiana Statehouse have been demanding passage of a hate crimes law in recent legislative sessions - a third attempt died in the Senate this past January. The governor joined those calls this summer after a synagogue in Carmel, Indiana was vandalized with Nazi symbols.
Although the study committee did not make a recommendation, the Republican-controlled House and Senate could opt to advance a hate crimes bill during the 2019 Legislative Session. The session will begin in January.
Until then, Indiana remains one of just five states without a hate crimes law on its books.
RELATED STORIES:
After Synagogue Vandalism, Indiana Governor Calls For Hate Crime Law
Firefighters Respond to Smoke Report at Franklin County High School
Versailles Fire Chief Named to IFCA Executive Board
Aurora Farmers Fair Advanced Ride Tickets Available Online
Vehicle Break-ins Reported in Miamitown
Traffic Impacts Begin Friday on I-71 Southbound in Carroll County
High School Seniors Encouraged to Apply for DCF Scholarships
