Behind the Headlines: The 2019 legislative session in review
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune l-r Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill talks with Sen. Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City prior to the vote in the Senate. SB103 by Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper SB103 sponsored by Daniel Thatcher, R- West Valley City, Utah's current hate crimes bill, moved ahead in the Senate on Monday with a preliminary 19-9 vote. Thatcher's bill would allow judges to increase penalties for a crime if a defendant is convicted of targeting someone based on ancestry, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation. A person must first be convicted of a crime before additional penalties would apply. Under the state's current hate crimes law, only misdemeanor assaults can be enhanced as hate crimes. This update would also enable enhancements for felonies.
Bills at the 2019 Utah legislative session addressed hate crimes, abortion bans, radioactive waste, the alcohol content of store-bought beer, conversion therapy, naming a state reptile, reconsidering the state flag and so much more.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune editor Jennifer Napier-Pearce, and reporters Taylor Stevens and Benjamin Wood join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to recap the 2019 Utah legislative session. Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast. Join the live conversation by calling (801) 355-TALK.
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