News Archive

Law professors, a representative from the Indianapolis Jewish Relations Council, and a state senator took part in a panel discussion on “The Future of Hate Crimes Law in Indiana” at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law on February 9.

Those who participated in the event were Professor Jeannine Bell of the IU Maurer School of Law; Professor David Orentlicher of IU McKinney; David Sklar, director of government affairs at the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council; and Indiana State Senator Greg Taylor. Professor Robert H. Katz of IU McKinney was the moderator for the discussion.

“The number of hate incidents targeted at Muslims, Jews, immigrants, and other groups has reportedly increased since the November election,” said Professor Katz. “Indiana remains one of five states that lack a hate crimes law. Multiple bills to enact such a law are pending before the Indiana General Assembly. The panel is designed to explain the concepts of hate crimes and hate crimes laws, discuss the rationale for such laws and how they work in practice, examine the hate crimes bills submitted to the Indiana General Assembly and their prospects, and consider some of the First Amendment and other legal and practical issues raised by hate crimes laws.”

In the photo from left are Professor Orentlicher, Senator Taylor, Professor Katz, Professor Bell, and David Sklar.