Substitute House Bill No. 5422, File No. 456, proposes amendments to Connecticut's general statutes concerning hate and bias crimes, with an effective date of October 1, 2024. The bill modifies section 53a-30 to allow courts or the Court Support Services Division to determine restitution for victims, and it renumbers and deletes certain clauses without detailing the content of the deleted clause. It also amends section 46a-58 to define discriminatory practices and violations related to hate crimes, setting penalties for desecrating property, placing burning crosses or nooses, and intimidating or harassing individuals based on protected characteristics. The bill introduces a new requirement for violators to participate in an anti-bias or diversity awareness program or community service, in addition to imprisonment or fines, and stipulates that minimum fines cannot be reduced without a recorded reason.

The bill further redefines intimidation based on bigotry or bias, outlining the conditions for first, second, or third-degree intimidation and the corresponding class of felony. It mandates anti-bias program participation for violators and revises the composition of the State-Wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council, adding new members and designating two chairpersons appointed by the Governor. The council, which includes representatives from various sectors, is tasked with reviewing intimidation statutes and making legislative recommendations by January 1, 2025. The bill includes fiscal notes indicating potential minimal costs for anti-bias training or community service programs and makes amendments to several sections of the statutes. Section 5 of the bill was deleted for redundancy, and Section 6 was added for conformity, with the Judiciary Committee giving a Joint Favorable report.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 53-37a, 51-279f
JUD Joint Favorable: 53-37a, 51-279f
File No. 456: 53-37a, 51-279f