Plan to beef up Utah hate-crimes law clears another hurdle

A proposal to strengthen Utah’s hate-crimes law is clearing another hurdle as the once-stalled measure continues its forward progress.

A Utah House committee on Friday approved the legislation that would increase sentences for people convicted of targeting someone because of their sexual orientation, race, religion or other factors.

Supporters say it would protect civil rights and send an important message that violence targeting a particular group of people won’t be tolerated.

Opponents, though, have worried the measure goes too far in singling out certain groups for protections and stiffer penalties wouldn’t solve the problem.

Utah’s current hate-crime law doesn’t protect specific groups and prosecutors have said it’s essentially unusable.

The measure has already passed the Senate, and now goes to the House floor.