An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and, in particular rights and immunities, further prohibiting civil rights violations.
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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 law to create a new offense of ‘hate-based intimidation,’ defined as intentionally causing bodily injury or property damage through threats or actions motivated by hatred toward a person or group based on their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin. It also expands civil rights protections to allow individuals harmed by this intimidation to seek legal redress against the perpetrator, their co-conspirators, and those who aided them, including seeking punitive damages and attorney fees. The bill includes protections for religiously motivated speech.
Key provisions
- Creates a new offense of ‘ethnic’ hate-based intimidation with specific definitions and elements.
- Expands civil rights remedies for individuals harmed by hate-based intimidation.
- Allows plaintiffs to seek punitive damages and attorney fees in civil suits.
- Protects religiously motivated speech from being penalized.
- Defines ‘malicious intent’ as hatred motivated by characteristics like race, ethnicity, etc.
- Addresses institutional vandalism as a related offense.
Who is affected
- Individuals targeted by hate-based intimidation
- Victims of civil rights violations
- Legal professionals
- Pennsylvania residents
- Potential perpetrators of hate crimes
Notable changes
- Introduces a new specific crime – ‘ethnic’ hate-based intimidation – not previously defined in Pennsylvania law.
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 2374 Html
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Sponsors
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9 on record
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