Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) wants to make it easier for police and prosecutors to charge people with hate crimes.
According to Lamont, the state’s existing hate crime laws are extensive — but they’re scattered among Connecticut’s General Statutes. He’s introduced legislation to change that.
“The applicable statutes do not appear in a single section or a chapter,” Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin said. “They are spread out over 21 individual sections. Clearly, this hinders police and prosecutors in the performance of their duties. It makes investigations more difficult and it makes charging decisions more difficult.”
Lamont’s proposal would combine many of them, including Hate Crime Causing Physical Injury, Hate Crime Affecting Property and Hate Crime by Deprivation of Civil Rights, into one chapter.
“Connecticut has led the nation in the adoption of hate crimes laws, which is a good thing, but in order for them to be effective and for police and prosecutors to be able to use them, these laws need to be streamlined within our statutes,” Lamont said.
The proposal was inspired by the Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council. Lamont will introduce it next Wednesday when he presents his budget to the General Assembly.
According to state officials, there’s been a 50% rise in hate crimes since 2021.
