Lawmakers announce proposed religious law changes

Indiana's Republican legislative leaders have unveiled changes to the state's new Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which has faced widespread criticism that it could allow discrimination against gay people.

The amendment to the act released Thursday prohibits service providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military service.

A conference committee must discuss the proposed changes to the law, and both the House and the Senate will need to approve them before they can go to Gov. Mike Pence.

Pence called for changes to clarify the law Tuesday in response to an uproar fueled by discrimination concerns.