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Richard Piatt Reporting The Utah Legislature will take on a Hate Crimes bill proposal again this year. Like past years, supporters are saying 'this is the year it will pass'. They may be right this time.
Over the last year in Utah there were more examples that Hate Crimes are a problem. A Middle Eastern store clerk in Tooele was beaten and stabbed. In Salt Lake City, an African American man was attacked and beaten with a bottle while riding his bike; Federal Hate Crime laws applied in that case. But Representative David Litvack says Utah needs House Bill 90, the latest state Hate crime bill.
Rep. David Litvack, (D) Salt Lake City: "It does accomplish what we want. It moves us to a place where crimes motivated by hate can be punished more appropriately."
In this new version, all categories have been removed and law would not 'enhance' another crime, it would make the hate crime an 'aggravating factor'. Intent is still an important part of the bill. By removing categories, Litvack says the bill should be more attractive to conservative Legislators.
Paul Mero, Sutherland Institute: "I think you'll find conservative legislators trying to support this bill. But again, the sticking point has always been, how does this bill handle sexual orientation?"
Equality Utah's Mike Thompson says gays and lesbians are frequent hate crime targets. While he would like to see the problem directly addressed, he also recognizes the bill represents a compromise.
Mike Thompson, Equality Utah: "The most effective court-tested approach is a specific list, including sexual orientation, but since that's not in front of us, we really endorse representative Litvack's legislation."
After all these years, more people are saying this is the year a hate crimes bill might pass. But, as in the past, the details in this particular proposal could either make it or break it.
The Utah Legislature officially begins its 45-day session next Monday.
