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• Introduced by Rep. Paul Condino (D) on July 23, 2008, to establish a new “bias-motivated” criminal offense for a person who selects the target of a violent crime or property crime based on victim’s disability; gender; national origin or ancestry; race, color, or ethnicity; religion; sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of gender; or a person’s or group’s association with one or more of these. Violations would be subject to up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine if the underlying (“predicate”) crime is a misdemeanor, and up to 50 percent more than the sentence authorized for the predicate crime if it is a felony. A person could not be convicted of both the predicate crime and the “bias-motivated” crime (prosecutors would have to choose one or the other).
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on July 23, 2008.
    • Reported in the House on November 13, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the House on November 13, 2008, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on November 13, 2008.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Lorence Wenke (R) on November 13, 2008, to include veterans in the groups qualifying for the enhanced penalties. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on November 13, 2008.
• Passed in the House (81 to 18) on November 13, 2008, to establish a new “bias-motivated” criminal offense for a person who selects the target of a violent crime or property crime based on victim’s disability; gender; national origin or ancestry; race, color, or ethnicity; religion; sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of gender; being a veteran; or a person’s or group’s association with one or more of these. Violations would be subject to up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine if the underlying (“predicate”) crime is a misdemeanor, and up to 50 percent more than the sentence authorized for the predicate crime if it is a felony. A person could not be convicted of both the predicate crime and the “bias-motivated” crime (prosecutors would have to choose one or the other). [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on December 2, 2008.
  • Recalled to the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 2, 2008.