Sen. Farnese Praises House Panel’s Passage of Hate Crimes Bill that Includes the LGBT Community

Philadelphia, November 20, 2009 – “Pennsylvania is closer to having a hate crime bill that is all inclusive and does not just protect certain victims,” said Senator Larry Farnese, in response to the House Judiciary Committee’s action Tuesday that sends House Bill 745 to the House floor for a vote.

The legislation would classify as hate crimes, certain criminal offenses based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. Currently, the law protects people victimized due to their race, color, religion, and national origin.

“I am pleased that the House Judiciary Committee moved this bill,” said the senator, adding, “It ensures thugs and bullies will face stiffer consequences for attacking someone because of their mental or physical disability, where their family came from, or because someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – or merely perceived to be a member of any of these groups.”

In October, the United States Congress passed a similar federal hate crime bill.

“I’m glad the state legislature is following in the footsteps of our Congressional counterparts,” Sen. Farnese said. “It’s incumbent upon us to legally recognize just how reprehensible it is to commit a vicious crime against someone just because they don’t look like you, talk like you, or act like you.”

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