Ahead of the legislative session, Senate Democrats say their initial priorities are teacher pay, medical marijuana, pre-existing condition coverage and hate crimes.

Hate crimes legislation has failed for years. But Gov. Eric Holcomb recently pledged to work next session to ensure it passes after vandals defaced a Carmel synagogue with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Legislation to increase penalties for crimes committed because of a victim’s characteristics – such as race, religion, and gender identity – failed for years. But now Holcomb says he’ll work to find consensus on the issue ahead of the 2019 session.

Indiana lawmakers will consider a number of controversial issues in study committees this year – including hate crimes and the Department of Child Services.

Despite a pro-business history, the General Assembly's large Republican majorities didn't rally around proposals some say might have boosted the chances of luring Amazon's second headquarters.

Indiana will remain one of five states without a hate crimes law after the Senate Republican caucus opted not to take a vote on the bill this session.

Debate on a hate crimes bill was emotional and, at times, heated Tuesday as a Senate committee kicked off conversation on the issue.

So far, in this legislative session, two bills would include bias as a consideration for sentencing. Similar legislation has failed to pass, each year, for nearly a decade.

Previous attempts to pass legislation that increases the penalties for hate crimes have failed at the statehouse. But Senate Democrats listed it as one of their priorities again this year and House Speaker Brian Bosma endorsed the idea of such legislation in the wake of white supremacist violence over the summer.

Bosma says judges can already consider a criminal’s motivation during sentencing. But he says the state needs a specific hate crimes bill.