A revision to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act will prohibit discrimination of people based on sexual orientation or gender identity, former Indianapolis Mayor and Eli Lilly executive Bart Peterson said at a news conference on Thursday.
Indiana's Republican leadership agreed to rewrite the law after an outcry by business leaders and civil rights groups saying it potentially discriminated against gays and lesbians.
Indiana's Republican legislative leaders unveiled changes to the state's new religious objections law that has faced criticism it could allow discrimination against lesbians and gays.
The amendment to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act released Thursday prohibits service providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military service.
A conference committee must discuss the proposed changes to the law, and both the House and the Senate will need to approve them before they can go to Gov. Mike Pence.
Pence called for changes to clarify the law Tuesday in response to an uproar fueled by discrimination concerns.