Arkansas governor signs religious freedom law similar to federal one

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 2 (UPI) -- Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday signed an amended religious freedom law that now mirrors a federal law after receiving backlash from critics that the first version allowed businesses to discriminate against the LGBT communities.

The first version of the legislation passed the Arkansas Senate on Friday and the House on Tuesday, but Hutchinson sent it back to lawmakers, asking them to rework it until it more closely resembled the federal version of the law passed in 1993.

The Arkansas House of Representatives on Thursday passed the amended legislation Thursday by a vote of 76-17.

"I think it's sending the right signal, the way this has been resolved, to the world and the country that Arkansas understands the diversity of our culture and workforce but also the importance of balancing that with our sincerely held religious convictions," Hutchinson said.

Some critics still don't believe the law goes far enough to prevent discrimination, but Hutchinson said "the debate goes on."

"But the fact that it might not solve every problem for everyone probably means it's a good bill."

In addition to softening the law to prevent businesses from discriminating, Hutchinson said he's also considering an executive order to prevent discrimination of state employees.

"The issue has become divisive because our nation remains split on how to balance the diversity of our culture with the traditions and firmly held religious convictions," Hutchinson said. "It has divided families, and there is clearly a generational gap on this issue."