State senator plans new push for Indiana hate crimes law
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – An Indiana state senator says he’ll renew efforts to allow prosecutors to seek increased penalties for people convicted of committing hate crimes.
The proposal Democratic Sen. Greg Taylor of Indianapolis announced Tuesday seeks to change Indiana’s standing as one of five states without laws specifically against crimes motivated by factors such as race, gender, religion and sexual orientation.
Taylor says his proposal will include having law enforcement officers trained in recognizing, reacting and reporting hate crimes.
The Republican-dominated Senate earlier this year approved a bill allowing stiffer sentences for hate crimes. The House didn’t take action on the proposal, with opponents saying they don’t believe the motivation for a crime should change how a person is prosecuted.
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