The Connecticut General Assembly on Tuesday passed HB 5743, an anti-hate crime bill that could be the strongest in the country. The legislation makes any hate crime an automatic felony rather than a misdemeanor.
The bill is also more inclusive as to what constitutes a hate crime by adding violence or threats based on someone's gender.
Additionally, the bill increases penalties for threats against certain facilities such as religious institutions and day cares.
A provision for a minimum penalty of a $1,000 fine is included as well as the ability to impose relevant community service on any convicted of a hate crime.
Democratic and Republican Senators voted unanimously on the new legislation which is now headed to Governor Dannel Malloy for consideration.
An increase in hate crimes has been reported around the globe.
In November the FBI said [JURIST report] that hate crimes, especially against Muslims, were on the rise in the US.
In the UK, prosecutors have been encouraged to use tougher sentences against hate crimes in response to the nation's increasingly hostile environment since the EU referendum.
Since the middle of June more than 6,000 hate crimes and incidents have been reported to the authorities.
(Published by Jurist - June 8, 2017)