PRINTER'S NO. 3740
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2268
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, WARD, GREINER, MURT, JOZWIAK, CORBIN,
READSHAW, HICKERNELL, FARRY, PHILLIPS-HILL AND EVERETT,
JULY 26, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JULY 26, 2016
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for
ethnic intimidation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2710 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 2710. Ethnic and identity 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
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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] Definitions.--As used in this section, the
following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to
them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Emergency medical services provider." The term shall have
the same meaning as provided under 35 Pa.C.S. § 8103 (relating
to definitions) .
"Firefighter." A professional or volunteer firefighter.
"Law enforcement officer." The term shall have the same
meaning as the term "peace officer" under section 501 (relating
to definitions).
"Malicious intention." 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 or employment as a
law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical
service provider of another individual or group of individuals.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20160HB2268PN3740 - 2 -
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