A new report from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office says Pennsylvania’s hate crime law is outdated and fails to protect victims targeted because of sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other characteristics.
Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is calling on Pennsylvania lawmakers to modernize the state’s hate crime laws after releasing a report that concludes current statutes leave significant gaps in protections for victims of bias-motivated crimes.
The report, released Tuesday by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and its DATA Lab, argues that Pennsylvania’s Ethnic Intimidation statute has not kept pace with modern definitions of hate crimes and should be expanded to include additional protected groups.
Report says law is outdated
Pennsylvania’s current Ethnic Intimidation statute, enacted in 1982, applies to crimes motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, or national origin.
According to the report, the law does not extend protections to people targeted because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or ancestry, limiting prosecutors’ ability to pursue hate crime charges in many cases.
“The findings of this report are straightforward,” Krasner said. “Pennsylvania does not have an adequate legal framework for prosecuting hate crimes. Pennsylvania’s only hate crime law, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982. The statute’s reach stops well short of the problem.”
Proposed reforms
The report recommends creating a broader hate crimes statute that would allow prosecutors to file both the underlying criminal charge and a separate hate crime charge when bias is alleged to have motivated an offense.
Researchers also recommended expanding the categories protected under state law and improving data collection so prosecutors and victim advocates can better identify hate-motivated crimes and connect victims with support services.
“As we reach the end of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Pride, and the celebration of Juneteenth, the DAO reinforces its commitment to supporting laws that make our communities safer and freer, while ensuring everyone is represented,” Krasner said.
The report analyzed state and local court data from 2014 through 2025 and examined the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s LGBTQ+ case identification tool, which is designed to help identify potential bias-motivated crimes that may not otherwise be tracked under existing Pennsylvania law.
Key Points
- Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is urging lawmakers to expand Pennsylvania’s hate crime law.
- A new report says the state’s 1982 Ethnic Intimidation statute fails to protect victims targeted because of sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other characteristics.
- The report recommends broader legal protections, improved data collection, and enhanced support for victims of bias-motivated crimes.
Related: Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania, Hate Crimes, LGBTQ
Sources: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, DAO DATA Lab.