THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, BELFANTI, BEYER, BRENNAN, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CASORIO, DONATUCCI, FREEMAN, GRUCELA, HARKINS, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MANN, McGEEHAN, MILLER, MOUL, M. O'BRIEN, REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, WALKO, MYERS, FABRIZIO AND GOODMAN, JANUARY 28, 2009

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 28, 2009   

AN ACT

Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes, providing for using symbols of hatred

to intimidate.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:

§ 2710.1.  Using symbols of hatred to intimidate.

(a)  Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of using

symbols of hatred to intimidate when the person, with the intent

to intimidate any person or group of persons:

(1)  Burns, or causes to be burned, a cross:

(i)  on the property of another person; or

(ii)  on a highway or on any other public place.

(2)  Places, or causes to be placed, a swastika:

(i)  on any synagogue, church or other building or

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place used for religious worship or memorial;

(ii)  at any cemetery or place of burial; or

(iii)  on any school, educational facility or

community center owned or operated by a synagogue,

church, congregation or religious body.

(i)  on the property of another person; or

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(ii)  on a highway or on any other public place.

(b)  Grading.--An offense under this section constitutes a

felony of the third degree.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.