Bill > HB2175

This bill, titled "Crimes; hostility towards victims; sentencing," aims to enhance penalties for certain felony offenses when they are motivated by hostility towards a victim's identity within specific groups, as defined by state law. Specifically, it introduces a new section to Arizona Revised Statutes that makes individuals convicted of certain felonies, including assault and criminal damage, ineligible for sentence suspension, probation, or early release if the offense was committed out of hostility towards a victim based on their identity in a group listed in section 41-1750, subsection a, paragraph 3, or the defendant's perception of the victim's identity in such a group. This hostility, referred to as a "hate crime" motivation, would result in an additional one or two years added to the sentence, depending on the felony classification, and this additional time is separate from any other sentence enhancements. The bill also clarifies that this provision does not apply to specific minor offenses and explicitly preserves constitutional rights to free speech. Additionally, it amends existing statutes related to assault and criminal damage to incorporate these new sentencing provisions and makes a minor technical correction regarding armed nuclear security guards' use of force and detention authority. Finally, it updates the definition of protected groups within the central state repository's record-keeping to include "political affiliation."

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83839