South Carolina House gives key approval to hate crimes bill
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina moved one step closer Wednesday to becoming the 48th state in the nation to pass a hate crime law.
House representatives gave key approval by a 7929 vote on the proposal to allow harsher penalties for killings, assaults and other violent crimes motivated by hatred for someone’s race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability — all protected groups recognized by federal law.
“Protecting against violent criminal acts motivated by proven hatred is not a liberal or conservative issue,” said Republican Rep. Weston Newton, one of the bill sponsors. “It is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is not a white or Black issue, and it is not a gay or straight issue.”
South Carolina is one of only three states — along with Arkansas and Wyoming — without a hate crimes law.
This year’s bill garnered bipartisan support with more than 40 sponsors. All who voted against it Wednesday were Republicans.
Lawmakers didn’t spend time debating the bill on the House floor Wednesday, though legislators have spent hours this session listening to testimony from business and faith leaders, law enforcement officials,
LGBTQ groups and members of the general public.
The long-awaited legislation gained a boost this year from the state’s powerful business community, which has said the lack of protection could stop expansions and deter new companies in South Carolina.
“This is a huge step forward for South Carolina and will let the world know that our state is not a place that condones crimes motivated by hate,” said South Carolina Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Morgan in a statement.
A final vote will come on a third reading before the proposal heads to the Senate.