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Arkansas governor signs revised religious freedom bill

Arkansas governor signs revised religious freedom bill
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson answers reporters' questions as Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, background, listens at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Hutchinson called for changes to the state's religious objection measure facing a backlash from businesses and gay rights groups, saying it wasn't intended to sanction discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) Danny Johnston, AP

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.

The law prohibits state and local government from infringing on someone’s religious beliefs without a compelling interest.

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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 voted later to recall the original religious objections measure from Hutchinson’s desk.

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