SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A contentious hate-crimes bill passed the Utah Senate on Tuesday, marking a major step forward for a plan that stalled in years past.
Republican Sen. Daniel Thatcher, the bill’s sponsor, said it would increase sentences for people convicted of targeting someone because of their sexual orientation, race, religion or other factors. He conceded the proposal ignited tense debate.
“One can only conclude that the emotion of ’hate’ is causing the confusion,” he said. “We as a body must separate from that emotion.”
Support for the proposal grew after the November 2018 beating of a Latino man in Salt Lake City who authorities said was targeted by an attacker who said he wanted to “kill Mexicans.”
Supporters of the bill have argued that it would protect civil rights and be an important tool in prosecuting crimes that can strike fear through entire communities.
Opponents worry the measure goes too far in singling out certain groups for protections and argue stiffer penalties wouldn’t solve the problem.
Senate majority leader Ralph Okerlund, however, said that the bill didn’t go far enough.
“I spoke to my constituents and I heard that we included too many classes,” he said. “I believe we need to have more.” This means bringing the bill back next year to include other groups, like teachers and those who raise livestock, as a protected class, he said.
Utah’s current hate-crimes law doesn’t protect specific groups and prosecutors have said it’s essentially unusable.
The bill to strengthen it stalled in 2016, and supporters said its prospects were hurt when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged lawmakers, many of whom are members, not to upset a balance between religious and LGBT rights.
Prior to the session, the church said it would not oppose any hate-crimes legislation that would expand protections.
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