A yearslong effort to update Utah’s hate crimes law took a significant step forward on Thursday, earning the unanimous approval of a Senate committee after failing to be granted an initial hearing during previous legislative sessions.
But Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, said after the committee vote that the full Senate is more closely split on his bill, SB103, and that passage is “not a done deal.”
Thatcher credited the support of diverse community groups and individuals in helping to sway the opinions of his legislative colleagues. He also said high-profile crimes — such as the recent attack of a man and father at a Salt Lake City tire shop – had generated public attention on the topic of enhancing criminal penalties when victims are targeted based on attributes like race, sexual orientation or religion.