SB-103 VICTIM TARGETING (HATE CRIMES)

Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements - SB 103 4th Substitute

(Also popularly referred to as Hate Crimes Legislation)
Thirteen years ago Republican Representative Lavar Christian worked with Democrat Representative David Litvack to craft and pass a bipartisan hate crimes bill that did not have a list of protected classes, it protected everyone equally. The purpose of the bill was to prevent any kind of targeting.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 8th, at 8:00 AM the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee will hear SB103 Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements.  This legislation would allow an enhancement of penalty for a person who commits a crime against another based on characteristics on a specific list. 

This bill specifically says that it does not create protected classes (groups that are treated differently under the law.)  However, we know that when a judge relies on statute that includes a specific list, the effect will be . . PROTECTED CLASSES!

Utah's current Hate Crimes law is the best in the nation because it does NOT rely on lists, it protects EVERYONE EQUALLY!  SB-103's list, however long, will never be complete enough to include everyone.  And if it did, we wouldn't need a list because we could just say EVERYONE!

Please do all you can to contact committee members and get others to contact them as well!  We know that time is short, but it is very important that you act now.  Send emails to the committee members. 

SEE CONTACT LIST BELOW.

House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee ASK THEM TO VOTE NO on Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements SB103 4th Substitute.

Rep. Lee Perry, Chair  leeperry@le.utah.gov
Rep. Kim Coleman, Vice Chair  kimcoleman@le.utah.gov
Rep. Angela Romero (D)  angelaromero@le.utah.gov
Rep. Mike Schultz (R)  mikeschultz@le.utah.gov
Rep. Casey Snider (R)  csnider@le.utah.gov
Rep. Andrew Stoddard (D)  astoddard@le.utah.gov
Rep. Mark A. Strong (R)  mstrong@le.utah.gov
Rep. Sandra Hollins (D)  shollins@le.utah.gov
Rep. Kelly B. Miles (R)  kmiles@le.utah.gov
Rep. Val K. Potter (R)  valpotter@le.utah.gov
Rep. Paul Ray (R)  pray@le.utah.gov