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                                                       PRINTER'S NO. 610

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 540 Session of 2007


        INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, BELFANTI, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
           CARROLL, COHEN, CURRY, DALEY, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GOODMAN,
           GRUCELA, JAMES, KULA, LEVDANSKY, MANN, M. O'BRIEN, PAYTON,
           REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, WALKO,
           WHEATLEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 6, 2007

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 6, 2007

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
     2     Consolidated Statutes, providing for using symbols of hatred
     3     to intimidate.

     4     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     5  hereby enacts as follows:
     6     Section 1.  Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     7  Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
     8  § 2710.1.  Using symbols of hatred to intimidate.
     9     (a)  Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of using
    10  symbols of hatred to intimidate when the person, with the intent
    11  to intimidate any person or group of persons:
    12         (1)  Burns, or causes to be burned, a cross:
    13             (i)  on the property of another person; or
    14             (ii)  on a highway or on any other public place.
    15         (2)  Places, or causes to be placed, a swastika:
    16             (i)  on any synagogue, church or other building or
    17         place used for religious worship or memorial;

     1             (ii)  at any cemetery or place of burial; or
     2             (iii)  on any school, educational facility or
     3         community center owned or operated by a synagogue,
     4         church, congregation or religious body.
     5     (b)  Grading.--An offense under this section constitutes a
     6  felony of the third degree.
     7     Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.
















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