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Committee reports expanded hate-based intimidation bills after amendment to protect constitutional rights
Summary
Companion bills to expand Pennsylvania’s ethnic-intimidation statute to include gender, gender identity and sexual orientation and to require police training were reported as amended after committee members adopted language intended to protect all constitutional speech and rights; debate focused on definitions and precision.
The Judiciary Committee reported House Bills 1902 and 1905, companion measures that would retitle and expand the state offense commonly called ethnic intimidation into "hate-based intimidation" and add protected categories including gender, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Representative Frankel, sponsor of the bills, framed them as updates to better protect vulnerable communities and provide civil causes of action and police training. Counsel described amendments (notably A02582/A02583) that changed the construction section to protect all constitutional speech and avoid viewpoint-discrimination challenges.
Opponents urged caution, arguing criminal statutes require precise, objective definitions and expressing concern that terms such as gender identity and disability are not defined, which could create inconsistency or constitutional vulnerability. Supporters and sponsors noted many other states have similar statutes and said courts and law enforcement can identify targeted groups in practice.
After debate the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bills; HB1902 was reported 14–12 as amended.
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