State Democrats float legislation to strengthen hate crime law

Four Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday announced legislation that they said will strengthen Pennsylvania's hate crimes laws, noting the passing Sunday of the one-year-mark following the Tree of Life synagogue massacre in Squirrel Hill.

The legislation, according to the lawmakers, would boost penalties for crimes motivated by hate, extend their applicability to crimes motivated by victims' LGBTQ or disability status, allow students to report such crimes anonymously, train law enforcement and add correctional rehabilitation tools.

According to memoranda circulated by Mr. Frankel in May, the legislation on students would require colleges and universities to offer online and anonymous options for reporting possible hate crimes. The corrections bill would require that people convicted of ethnic intimidation perform community service or complete classes related to the "motivating factor" of their hatred.

The precise text of the legislation was not immediately available.

Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/10/30/Pennsylvania-Democrats-Dan-Frankel-Tree-of-Life-hate-crime-legislation/stories/201910300138