SB 74 - Under current law, all violations of third degree assault, first degree harassment, property damage over $750, and certain unlawful use of a weapon offenses, can be charged as Class D felonies if the state believes the offenses was motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. This act adds employment as a law enforcement officer or first responder to the list of protected classes. Under current law, all violations of fourth degree assault, tampering with property for the purpose of causing substantial inconvenience, first degree trespass, and rioting, can be charged as Class E felonies if the state believes the offenses was motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. This act adds employment as a law enforcement officer or first responder to the list of protected classes and repeals the offense of tampering with property for the purpose of causing substantial inconvenience. Additionally, this act provides that for all violations of second degree tampering of property that the state believes the offense was motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or because the victim is a law enforcement officer or first responder, the state may charge the offense as a Class D felony. This act is identical to HB 86 (2017). MARY GRACE BRUNTRAGER
|