An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s laws to address ethnic intimidation, which is now defined as a personal injury crime motivated by hatred toward a person or group based on various protected characteristics. It establishes civil rights remedies for victims of this intimidation and mandates annual training for law enforcement officers on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. The bill also includes definitions related to these concepts and provides for injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘ethnic hate-based intimidation’ as a personal injury crime motivated by hatred.
- Establishes a civil rights action for victims of ethnic intimidation.
- Requires annual training for law enforcement officers on hate-based intimidation.
- Creates a definition of ‘hate-based intimidation’ for use in the law.
- Includes provisions to protect religiously motivated speech from being restricted.
- Allows for punitive damages in civil rights cases related to ethnic intimidation.
- Specifies which law enforcement officers are required to receive the training.
Who is affected
- Individuals targeted by ethnic intimidation
- Law enforcement officers
- The Pennsylvania State Police
- County and city police departments
- University and campus police departments
Notable changes
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 2371 Html
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9 on record
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