PRINTER'S NO. 2851
No. 2123 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, BEBKO-JONES, BELFANTI, BROWNE, CAPPELLI,
CORRIGAN, COSTA, CRUZ, CURRY, DALEY, FREEMAN, GOODMAN,
HARHAI, HORSEY, JAMES, KIRKLAND, LAUGHLIN, LEVDANSKY, MANN,
McGEEHAN, MUNDY, PALLONE, PISTELLA, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, ROSS,
SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, TANGRETTI, WALKO, WHEATLEY, YOUNGBLOOD,
THOMAS AND WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 27, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 27, 2003
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
1 place used for religious worship or memorial;
2 (ii) at any cemetery or place of burial; or
3 (iii) on any school, educational facility or
4 community center owned or operated by a synagogue,
5 church, congregation or religious body.
6 (b) Grading.--An offense under this section constitutes a
7 felony of the third degree.
8 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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