Connecticut law defines crimes for targeted harm and threats

The law defines crimes for targeted injury, physical contact, property damage, and certain threats. Protected categories include race, religion, ethnicity, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age 60 or older, among other listed categories. Injury, contact, and property offenses require specific intent to intimidate or harass because of a protected social category; the required conduct differs by offense. Threats must meet the stated intent requirements, and the law requires reasonable cause to believe certain threatened acts will occur. These provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

The law defines crimes involving religious sites, civil rights, and certain discriminatory practices. The provisions address houses of religious worship, deprivation of rights protected by state or federal law, certain public accommodation and housing practices, and commercial advertisements. Damaging a house of worship is a crime when a person intentionally damages, destroys, or defaces it without reasonable grounds to believe they have a right to do so. Some offenses require intent to intimidate or harass because of a protected social category. The commercial advertisement offense applies only to commercial speech. These provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

The law defines crimes involving false reports, stalking, burning crosses, nooses, and misuse of 9-1-1. The provisions cover specified false reports, stalking directed at someone because of a protected social category, and placing a burning cross or noose with the required intent. False-report offenses require the stated intent to target a person because of a protected social category; a more serious offense applies if a false report causes serious injury or death. Crosses and nooses must be placed on public property or on private property without the owner's written consent. The required intent differs between those offenses. These provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

The Sentencing Commission must review hate crime penalties with the Hate Crimes Advisory Council and report its findings and any recommendations. The Connecticut Sentencing Commission must consult the State-Wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council. The review must compare penalty levels with similar Connecticut crimes and similar hate crimes in other jurisdictions. The commission must report to the legislature's Judiciary Committee by January 1, 2027.