§ 2710. Ethnic intimidation.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of ethnic
intimidation if, with malicious intention toward the race,
color, religion or national origin of another individual or
group of individuals, he commits an offense under any other
provision of this article or under Chapter 33 (relating to
arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction)
exclusive of section 3307 (relating to institutional vandalism)
or under section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass) with
respect to such individual or his or her property or with
respect to one or more members of such group or to their
property.
(b) Grading.--An offense under this section shall be
classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree if the other
offense is classified as a summary offense. Otherwise, an
offense under this section shall be classified one degree higher
in the classification specified in section 106 (relating to
classes of offenses) than the classification of the other
offense.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section "malicious
intention" means the intention to commit any act, the commission
of which is a necessary element of any offense referred to in
subsection (a) motivated by hatred toward the race, color,
religion or national origin of another individual or group of
individuals.
(June 18, 1982, P.L.537, No.154, eff. imd.; Dec. 3, 2002,
P.L.1176, No.143, eff. imd.; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1759, No.218,
eff. 60 days)
2008 Effectuation of Declaration of Unconstitutionality. The
Legislative Reference Bureau effectuated the 2008
unconstitutionality.
2008 Unconstitutionality. Act 143 of 2002 was declared
unconstitutional. Marcavage v. Rendell, 936 A.2d 188 (Pa.
Commonwealth 2007).
2002 Amendments. Act 143 amended the entire section and Act
218 amended subsec. (a). Act 218 overlooked the amendment by Act
143, but the amendments do not conflict in substance and both
have been given effect in setting forth the text of subsec. (a).
1982 Amendment. See section 2 of Act 154 of 1982 in the
appendix to this title for special provisions relating to right
of action for injunction, damages or other relief.
Effective Date. After December 2, 2002, and before February
7, 2003, section 2710 will reflect only the amendment by Act
143, as follows:
§ 2710. Ethnic intimidation.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of
ethnic intimidation if, with malicious intention toward the
actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin,
ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation,
gender or gender identity of another individual or group of
individuals, he commits an offense under any other provision
of this article or under Chapter 33 (relating to arson,
criminal mischief and other property destruction) exclusive
of section 3307 (relating to institutional vandalism) or
under section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass) or under
section 5504 (relating to harassment by communication or
address) with respect to such individual or his or her
property or with respect to one or more members of such group
or to their property.
(b) Grading.--An offense under this section shall be
classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree if the other
offense is classified as a summary offense. Otherwise, an
offense under this section shall be classified one degree
higher in the classification specified in section 106
(relating to classes of offenses) than the classification of
the other offense.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section "malicious
intention" means the intention to commit any act, the
commission of which is a necessary element of any offense
referred to in subsection (a) motivated by hatred toward the
actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin,
ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation,
gender or gender identity of another individual or group of
individuals.
Cross References. Section 2710 is referred to in section
8309 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).
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