After a six-year battle to strengthen Utah's hate-crimes law, Rep. David Litvack got what he's been after: the overwhelming support of the house. House Bill 90, which underwent an overnight overhaul, passed the house on a 64–5 vote Thursday in Salt Lake City. It now moves to the senate, where little opposition is expected.
But the overhaul
stripped the bill of any mention of sexual orientation,
something opponents of the measure had been lobbying for.
Historically, the house objections centered on a list
of characteristics for which hate-crime victims
are typically targeted. Included in those was sexual
orientation; the Republican-led house argued that its
mention would create "special rights" for gay people.
Others argued that the bill might violate the First
Amendment, supposedly "punishing a person for their thoughts."
The new version of the bill removes the list of
traits and adds language that states the intent
of the bill is not to curb free speech. "That's all
we've ever asked for," said Gayle Ruzicka, president
of the conservative group Utah Eagle Forum, which has
fought the bill for at least six years. "It's the
right bill, it took out the groups and has the
aggravating factors," she said. "But it protects the
individual. Under this bill, I would be protected just as
much as if I were a member of a group."
This is only the second time hate-crimes legislation has passed the house. In 2003 a different version of the bill passed on a 38–35 vote after a lengthy, late-night debate. But it was recalled the next morning and then pulled from consideration by Litvack and a cosponsor after an attempt to gut it. No reconsideration is expected this time, said Litvack, a Democrat from Salt Lake City: "I think we're safe." (AP)
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