Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson wants lawmakers to change the state’s religious freedom bill before he would sign in.
The state legislature passed the bill this week amid controversy surrounding Indiana’s religious liberty law, which is very similar. Democrats and mainstream media outlets allege such laws permit discrimination against homosexuals, although supporters sat the laws simply protect religious belivers.
“It has divided families, and there is clearly a generational gap on this issue,” Hutchinson said, adding his son had signed a petition asking him to veto the bill.
Hutchinson added that he will ask state legislative leaders to change the bill slightly. He says it is his intention that the bill be crafted in a way that mirrors the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.