Bill > SB1025

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to address hate-based intimidation and community impact statements by establishing new sentencing guidelines and procedural mechanisms. Specifically, for individuals convicted of hate-based intimidation, the bill allows courts to require offenders to complete either eight hours of educational instruction about the targeted community or eight hours of community service that does not risk further violence, as a condition of probation or parole. The bill also introduces a comprehensive community impact statement process, enabling representatives of affected communities to submit written statements prior to sentencing that describe the harm, trauma, economic loss, and social effects of hate-based crimes. These statements must be provided to both prosecution and defense counsel, and courts are required to consider them when determining an appropriate sentence. The bill defines "community" broadly as an association of people sharing common interests within a judicial district, and establishes that individuals cannot be excluded from trial proceedings if they intend to provide community impact information during sentencing. The new provisions will take effect 60 days after the bill's passage, with the goal of providing a more holistic approach to addressing hate-based crimes by considering their broader community impact.

Justice

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1025