On Tuesday, Governor Gary Herbert signed S.B. 103 into law. Entitled Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements, the bill allows a harsher penalty of those that are found guilty of a hate crime. The bill states that criminal offenses against victims that were selected because of certain personal abilities will have enhanced penalties, while still maintaining an individual’s constitutional right of free speech. Such personal attributes include, but are not limited to, disability, gender identity, homelessness, political expression, sexual orientation, and status as emergency responder, law enforcement officer or peace officer. “Everybody, every person, every individual in our society, is worthy of dignity, respect and love,” declares Governor Herbert on his Twitter account..” Today I signed S.B. 103, which will protect Utahns of all races, creeds, religions, and orientations from hate crimes. Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with us.”
