,
9 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
As we wait for the House to reconvene, it looks like House Republicans will seek to add an amendment that creates a hate crimes statute.
That language references a list of victim characteristics that’s already in state law, in IC 10-13-3-1.
That list includes color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, & sexual orientation.
It does *not* include sex, gender, or gender identity.
That list includes color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, & sexual orientation.
It does *not* include sex, gender, or gender identity.
House Democrats say that list isn’t good enough.
They want a comprehensive list of victim characteristics, like the one approved in a Senate committee earlier this session.
They want a comprehensive list of victim characteristics, like the one approved in a Senate committee earlier this session.
House Dems also say that by going forward with a hate crimes provision on the floor, rather than an actual bill through the committee process, it looks like House Republicans are trying to exclude the public from having its say.
House floor debate on the aforementioned amendment is now underway.
Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Danville) is presenting his amendment. He says the intention of his language is to cover “every form of hate under the sun”
Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Danville) is presenting his amendment. He says the intention of his language is to cover “every form of hate under the sun”
Steuerwald points to the initial language of his amendment:
“The person committed the offense with bias due to the victim's or the group's real or perceived characteristic, trait, belief, practice, association, or other attribute the court chooses to consider...”
“The person committed the offense with bias due to the victim's or the group's real or perceived characteristic, trait, belief, practice, association, or other attribute the court chooses to consider...”
House Dem leader Rep. Phil GiaQuinta (D-Ft. Wayne) says he opposes the amendment because it’s not a comprehensive list.
There’s no further floor debate on the hate crimes amendment.
No other Republican speaks about it.
And the amendment is approved with a voice vote...meaning no public record as to whether individual lawmakers support or oppose it.
No other Republican speaks about it.
And the amendment is approved with a voice vote...meaning no public record as to whether individual lawmakers support or oppose it.
