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Bill

A 5187

Designates offenses against law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as hate crimes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 13 co-sponsors

Bill A 5187 classifies offenses against law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel as hate crimes, enhancing legal protections and penalties for these professionals.

HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5187

Summary of Bill A 5187

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: A 5187
  • Title: Designates offenses against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel as hate crimes
  • Status: Held for consideration in Codes
  • Introduced Date: February 12, 2025
  • Classification: Legislative bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 5187 aims to enhance the legal protections for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel by categorizing offenses committed against them as hate crimes. The intent behind this designation is to acknowledge the unique risks faced by these professionals and to deter violence against them by imposing stricter penalties.

Key Provisions

  • Designation of Hate Crimes: The bill proposes that any offense committed against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel will be classified as a hate crime. This classification would allow for enhanced penalties compared to standard offenses.
  • Legal Framework: The bill seeks to amend existing hate crime legislation to include these specific groups, thereby expanding the scope of protections under the law.

Impact

  • Affected Parties: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel, who often face hostility and violence in the line of duty. By designating offenses against them as hate crimes, the bill aims to provide them with greater legal protection.
  • Potential Legal Consequences: Offenders found guilty of committing hate crimes against these professionals could face increased penalties, which may include longer prison sentences or higher fines.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: February 12, 2025
  • Referred to Codes Committee: February 12, 2025
  • Current Status: Held for consideration in Codes as of May 13, 2025

Related Legislation

This bill is related to several prior-session bills, including:
- S 1114
- S 8212
- S 335
- S 1917
- A 6792
- S 4620 (companion bill)

These related bills may provide context or additional frameworks regarding hate crimes and protections for public service personnel.

Conclusion

Bill A 5187 represents a legislative effort to strengthen protections for those who serve in critical public safety roles. By classifying offenses against these individuals as hate crimes, the bill seeks to deter violence and ensure that such acts are met with appropriate legal consequences. As the bill is currently held for consideration, further discussions and potential amendments may occur before any final decisions are made.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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