The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard SB 220 authored by Sen. Glick on bias crimes. The bill creates a sentence enhancement, to be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense, for crimes committed with intent to harm or intimidate a victim because of the victim’s race, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, etc. Sen. Glick explained that Indiana is one of only five states not providing for stiffer sentences for bias crimes.
The bill was amended by consent to make such bias an aggravator for consideration at sentencing, rather than a separate offense. Sen. Glick also suggested a potential second-reading amendment to extend the provisions to crimes committed on the basis of the victim’s actual “or perceived” status.
Representatives from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Jewish Community Relations Council, Indianapolis Urban League, ARC of Indiana, and Indy Chamber testified in support of the bill. The bill passed as amended 9-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/senate/220