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US governor signs revised religious objections bill into law

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed a revised version of a religious objections bill that supporters say addresses concerns that the original proposal sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Hutchinson signed the new bill Thursday moments after it was given final approval by the state House of Representatives. The law prohibits state and local government from infringing on someone’s religious beliefs without a compelling interest.

The move comes a day after Hutchinson asked lawmakers to change the measure to make it more closely mirror a 1993 federal law. The original bill drew widespread criticism from businesses and others who called it anti-gay.

The House was expected to vote later Thursday to recall the original measure from Hutchinson’s desk.

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