Indiana’s hate crime bill is now a hate crime law.
Governor Holcomb signed the bill into law 22 hours after the Senate voted to pass it. The law gives judges the option of imposing longer sentences for hate crimes than for similar offense which weren’t driven by prejudice. Holcomb says it meets his goal of a comprehensive law which takes “a strong stand against targeted violence.”
Democrats voted against the law because age, gender and gender identity weren’t on that list. Holcomb maintains they’re still covered by a clause which says the traits judges can consider aren’t limited to those specifically listed.
Holcomb’s said part of his goal is to get Indiana off the list of five states without a hate crime law. He said on Monday it was “a disappointment” that the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement before the vote casting doubt on whether the Indiana law qualifies as a true hate crime law.
The Indiana Chamber is urging the A-D-L to reexamine the law. And Holcomb notes the A-D-L isn’t the only organization which tracks state hate crime laws.
The law takes effect July 1.