Hate Crime Bill Heading to Full Senate

ST. GEORGE - A bill that would strengthen hate crime laws in Utah is heading to the full state Senate.  State Senator Daniel Thatcher is the bill's sponsor, and he says it's too soon to start any victory laps.

Senators voted unanimously yesterday to send SB 103 to the Senate floor.

If passed, penalties for crimes committed based on the victim's ancestry, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability could receive a harsher sentence.

A full vote in the Senate has not yet been scheduled. Gayle Ruzicka of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum testified against the bill, saying her outspoken activism wouldn't be protected.