Indiana Governor Mike Pence said
Tuesday that he's looking forward to signing a bill opponents say
would allow business owners to refuse to serve members of the LGBT community
based on their religious beliefs.
The Republican-led General Assembly
gave its final
approval of SB 101 Tuesday and sent it to Pence for his
signature.
The bill seeks to prohibit any state
and local laws that “substantially burden” a person's ability to
follow his or her religious beliefs. A “person” is defined as an
individual, religious institution, business or association.
Pence, a Republican, commented on the
proposal in a statement.
“The legislation, SB 101, is about
respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are
intact,” Pence said. “I strongly support the legislation and
applaud the members of the General Assembly for their work on this
important issue. I look forward to signing the bill when it reaches
my desk.”
According to the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate,
85 bills targeting LGBT rights have been introduced in 28 states this
year.