Bill > HB1904

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to establish new provisions for sentencing and community impact statements related to hate-based intimidation. Specifically, it allows courts to require individuals convicted of hate-based intimidation to complete either eight hours of educational instruction about the targeted community or eight hours of community service that does not increase the risk of further violence. The bill also introduces a process for community impact statements, which allows representatives of affected communities to submit written statements to the court before sentencing, describing the harm, economic loss, and social effects of the crime. These statements can include details about physical or psychological trauma, economic damages, and broader community impacts. The bill defines "community" broadly as groups sharing common interests across various domains like social, religious, or educational contexts, and mandates that when such statements are submitted, copies must be provided to both prosecution and defense counsel. The new provisions aim to provide a more comprehensive approach to addressing hate-based crimes by considering the broader community impact and offering rehabilitative sentencing options. The law will take effect 60 days after passage.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1904