(Leah Hogsten | Tribune file photo) SB 103 sponsored by Daniel Thatcher, R- West Valley City, Utah’s current hate crimes bill, moved ahead in the Senate on Monday with a preliminary 19-9 vote. Thatcher’s bill would allow judges to increase penalties for a crime if a defendant is convicted of targeting someone based on ancestry, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation. A person must first be convicted of a crime before additional penalties would apply. Under the state’s current hate crimes law, only misdemeanor assaults can be enhanced as hate crimes. This update would also enable enhancements for felonies.
Benjamin joined The Tribune in the fall of 2014 as an education reporter. He currently covers Utah state government and hosts "Trib Talk," the Tribune's weekly general news podcast. Benjamin is a native Utahn and an alumnus of Utah State University.