Apparently, Indiana lawmakers didn't get enough of their butts handed to them last time around with their anti-LGBT "religious freedom" bill, so they're back for more. Here's the ACLU with the heads up on an expanded Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), SB 66, that Hoosier lawmakers will debate Wednesday morning:
Indiana’s legislators are apparently suffering from amnesia. SB 66 would replace Indiana’s existing RFRA with a new RFRA that strips away that “fix” and undermines existing and future nondiscrimination protections. Nor does it propose safeguards to address other rights, including reproductive rights, the bill would put at risk. In fact, SB 66 is much broader in many ways. For instance, it isn’t limited to religion. It will upend Indiana courts’ careful consideration of the fundamental rights of speech, assembly, and to bear arms.
Not to mention, instead of advancing a bill that would actually protect LGBT Hoosiers from discrimination, the legislature will contemplate two seriously flawed “nondiscrimination” bills, SB 100 and 344, which are full of overbroad religious exemptions, limited (or no) protections for transgender Hoosiers, and erode existing protections from discrimination for everyone in Indiana under state and local law.
So yeah, after throwing $2 million of taxpayer money down the drain to try to repair the state’s reputation with businesses around the world, Hoosier lawmakers can't wait for another bite at the apple. Smart. Let’s hope they’re not paying these geniuses too much money.
Remember, there are about a dozen jurisdictions in the state that have enacted pro-LGBT protections and the "fix" to the original bill they passed last year helped preserve those protections. But not being able to fire people from their jobs, or deny them housing simply for being gay or trans, must have been just unbearable for the homophobes.
Anyone recall this?
Just a little something for Indiana lawmakers to think about as they contemplate putting their state through the wringer once again.