Posted: | December 8, 2020 11:38 AM |
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From: | Representative Kristine C. Howard |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Co-Sponsorship: Hate Crimes Against the Disabled |
Over the last two years, abhorrent attacks on individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities highlighted a critical gap in Pennsylvania’s Criminal Code. At this writing, Pennsylvania’s Criminal Code provides for hate crime charges stemming from incidents involving acts committed against an individual based on race, color, religion or national origin. With that said, attacks committed against disabled individuals represent some of the most repugnant acts and should be punished accordingly. As such, I will be introducing legislation that adds “intellectual or physical disability” to the list of elements that prosecutors can consider when contemplating hate crime charges. To that end, please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Takesha Latham in my Harrisburg office at tlatham@pahouse.net. |
Introduced as HB487