Ball State President Paul W. Ferguson released a statement acknowledging the fix to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act Thursday night.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence approved the changes to RFRA Thursday. He asked legislators to clarify the law earlier this week as businesses and other states canceled events in Indiana and banned funded travel to the state.
The revised legislation prohibits people from using the law as a basis to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or U.S. military service, the Associated Press reported.
Ferguson’s statement said he was “appreciative of Governor Pence, Speaker [Brian] Bosma, Senator [David] Long, and the General Assembly working together to resolve the language of RFRA in order to ensure the absence of discrimination and to promote equal treatment for all.”
Indiana University also released a statement concerning the legislation fix Thursday. Indiana University's statement said it appreciates and supports the clarifying language, which would give legal protection to all, and is pleased that the clarifying language was passed.
“Indiana University asks all Hoosiers to remember that religious liberty and equal protection under the law are both cornerstones of our democracy and they should not be in conflict with each other,” the statement said. “It is our hope and expectation that this clarification will now allow all Hoosiers to put this matter behind us and work together to promote a better image and indeed a better future for the State of Indiana.”
