Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 103 Fourth Substitute (2019GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Thatcher, D.

Final action

Governor Signed 4/2/2019

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• provides an enhanced penalty for a criminal offense committed against a victim who is selected because of certain personal attributes; and
• provides that this bill does not affect an individual's constitutional rights, including an individual's constitutional right of free speech.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

VICTIM TARGETING PENALTY ENHANCEMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher
House Sponsor: 
Lee B. Perry
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill enacts provisions relating to sentencing for a criminal offense committed
against a victim who is selected because of certain personal attributes.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ provides an enhanced penalty for a criminal offense committed against a victim who
is selected because of certain personal attributes; and
▸ provides that this bill does not affect an individual's constitutional rights, including
an individual's constitutional right of free speech.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
76-3-203.14
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
76-3-203.14
 is enacted to read:
 76-3-203.14.
Victim targeting penalty enhancement -- Penalties.
(1) As used in this section "personal attribute" means:
(a) age;
(b) ancestry;
(c) disability;
(d) ethnicity;
(e) familial status;
(f) gender identity;
(g) homelessness;
(h) marital status;
(i) matriculation;
(j) national origin;
(k) political expression;
(l) race;
(m) religion;
(n) sex;
(o) sexual orientation;
(p) service in the U.S. Armed Forces;
(q) status as an emergency responder, as defined in Section 
53-2b-102
; or
(r) status as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, special function officer, or
any other peace officer, as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications.
(2) A defendant is subject to enhanced penalties under Subsection (3) if the defendant
intentionally selects:
(a) the victim of the criminal offense because of the defendant's belief or perception
regarding the victim's personal attribute or a personal attribute of another individual or group of
individuals with whom the victim has a relationship; or
(b) the property damaged or otherwise affected by the criminal offense because of the
defendant's belief or perception regarding the property owner's, possessor's, or occupant's
personal attribute or a personal attribute of another individual or group of individuals with
whom the property owner, possessor, or occupant has a relationship.
(3) (a) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed a
criminal offense and selected the victim or property damaged or otherwise affected by the
criminal offense in the manner described in Subsection (2), the defendant is subject to an
enhanced penalty for the criminal offense as follows:
(i) a class C misdemeanor is a class B misdemeanor;
(ii) a class B misdemeanor is a class A misdemeanor;
(iii) a class A misdemeanor is a third degree felony;
(iv) a third degree felony is a third degree felony punishable by an indeterminate term
of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years; and
(v) a second degree felony is a second degree felony punishable by an indeterminate
term of imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than 15 years.
(b) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed a
criminal offense that is a first degree felony and selected the victim or property damaged or
otherwise affected by the criminal offense in the manner described in Subsection (2), the
sentencing judge or the Board of Pardons and Parole shall consider the defendant's selection of
the victim or property as an aggravating factor.
(4) This section does not:
(a) apply if:
(i) the penalty for the criminal offense is increased or enhanced under another
provision of state law; or
(ii) the personal attribute of the victim or property owner, possessor, or occupant is an
element of a criminal offense under another provision of state law;
(b) prevent the court from imposing alternative sanctions as the court finds appropriate;
(c) affect or limit any individual's constitutional right to the lawful expression of free
speech or other recognized rights secured by the Utah Constitution or the laws of the state, or
by the United States Constitution or the laws of the United States; or
(d) create a special or protected class for any purpose other than a criminal penalty
enhancement under this section.
(5) (a) If a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction holds invalid any
provision of this section or the application of any provision of this section to any person or
circumstance, the remaining provisions of this section remain effective without the invalidated
provision or application.
(b) The provisions of this section are severable.