The new state law, which takes effect in July,references a list of victim characteristics. But that list falls short of what advocates had long pushed for.

If 26 senators approve the bill's new bias crimes language, it heads to Gov. Eric Holcomb's desk.

The legislation says judges can enact harsher penalties if a crime was motivated by bias against any trait or affiliation. It passed the Senate 34 to 14, with four Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.

The current hate crimes language includes a list of victim characteristics but leaves off sex, age, and gender identity.

And he says hell continue to advocate for a more expansive list of victim characteristics in the measure.

The Indiana House voted on a floor amendment Monday that would create hate crimes protections in state law.

Researchers analyzed more than 300 bias-motivated homicides around the country over nearly three decades. And hate crimes charges were filed in less than one-third of those cases.

A Senate committee approved hate crimes legislation Monday for the third time in four years.

Gov. Eric Holcomb wants to free up $140 million for schools over the next two years as a way to potentially boost teacher pay.

Hate crimes bills of the last few sessions included the phrase "gender identity" on the list of protected characteristics.