The Indiana Chamber released the following media statement this morning from president and CEO Kevin Brinegar on the proposed clarification to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA):
“Our state has suffered tremendously the past week. It was absolutely essential to clarify and affirm that Indiana's RFRA law does not permit discrimination against any person or group of people. The legislative amendment spells out that Indiana will not permit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. That's what businesses and individuals from around the state, country and world needed to hear.
“We believe this effort begins to help re-establish Indiana's identity as a welcoming place and will go a long way toward reversing the tide of negative sentiments that has threatened our state's economy.
“We encourage the General Assembly to pass this legislation in a bipartisan fashion today to show the nation that Indiana is united in sending the message that our state is a hospitable one which does not discriminate.”
The proposed new language to the RFRA law:
Sec. 0.7. This chapter does not: (1) authorize a provider to refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service; (2) establish a defense to a civil action or criminal prosecution for refusal by a provider to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service; or (3) negate any rights available under the Constitution of the State of Indiana.
