Victim targeting penalty enhancement -- Penalties.
Utah Code § 76-3-203.14
in effect76-3-203.14. Victim targeting penalty enhancement -- Penalties.
(1) As used in this section "personal attribute" means:
(a) age;
(b) ancestry;
(c) disability;
(d) ethnicity;
(e) familial status;
(f) gender identity;
(g) homelessness;
(h) marital status;
(i) matriculation;
(j) national origin;
(k) political expression;
(l) race;
(m) religion;
(n) sex;
(o) sexual orientation;
(p) service in the U.S. Armed Forces;
(q) status as an emergency responder, as defined in Section 53-2b-102; or
(r) status as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, special function officer, or any other peace officer, as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications.
(2) A defendant is subject to enhanced penalties under Subsection (3) if the defendant intentionally selects:
(a) the victim of the criminal offense because of the defendant's belief or perception regarding the victim's personal attribute or a personal attribute of another individual or group of individuals with whom the victim has a relationship; or
(b) the property damaged or otherwise affected by the criminal offense because of the defendant's belief or perception regarding the property owner's, possessor's, or occupant's personal attribute or a personal attribute of another individual or group of individuals with whom the property owner, possessor, or occupant has a relationship.
(3)
(a) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed a criminal offense and selected the victim or property damaged or otherwise affected by the criminal offense in the manner described in Subsection (2), the defendant is subject to an enhanced penalty for the criminal offense as follows:
(i) a class C misdemeanor is a class B misdemeanor;
(ii) a class B misdemeanor is a class A misdemeanor;
(iii) a class A misdemeanor is a third degree felony;
(iv) a third degree felony is a third degree felony punishable by an indeterminate term of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years; and
(v) a second degree felony is a second degree felony punishable by an indeterminate term of imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than 15 years.
(b) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed a criminal offense that is a first degree felony and selected the victim or property damaged or otherwise affected by the criminal offense in the manner described in Subsection (2), the sentencing judge or the Board of Pardons and Parole shall consider the defendant's selection of the victim or property as an aggravating factor.
(4) This section does not:
(a) apply if:
(i) the penalty for the criminal offense is increased or enhanced under another provision of state law; or
(ii) the personal attribute of the victim or property owner, possessor, or occupant is an element of a criminal offense under another provision of state law;
(b) prevent the court from imposing alternative sanctions as the court finds appropriate;
(c) affect or limit any individual's constitutional right to the lawful expression of free speech or other recognized rights secured by the Utah Constitution or the laws of the state, or by the United States Constitution or the laws of the United States; or
(d) create a special or protected class for any purpose other than a criminal penalty enhancement under this section.
(5)
(a) If a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction holds invalid any provision of this section or the application of any provision of this section to any person or circumstance, the remaining provisions of this section remain effective without the invalidated provision or application.
(b) The provisions of this section are severable.
Enacted by Chapter 504, 2019 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter3/76-3-S203.14.html?v=C76-3-S203.14_2019051420190514Fetched: 10/26/2026