Our New Law Helps Safeguard Those Targeted by Hate

Rep. Tarik Khan    December 20, 2024

As submitted for publication to the Chestnut Hill Local, East Falls Now, and The Roxborough Review.

Image: Rep Khan speaks at William Way LGBTQ Community Center with HB 1772 coprime sponsor Rep Ben Waxman and other legislators.

By State Rep Tarik Khan

Despite declining national crime trends, Jewish, Muslim, and LBGTQ+ communities are experiencing rising incidents of vandalism, harassment, assault, and other violent acts. Recent events like the Israel-Hamas war and persistent transphobic ads by the Trump campaign have contributed to a sense of strain and danger in these communities.

However, our commonwealth, conceived as a beacon of religious freedom and tolerance, is leading by example in safeguarding our vulnerable groups.

In my first term, I was pleased to introduce a bill with a multi-faith coalition of legislators to protect groups vulnerable to hate crimes. Our bill, HB 1772, led by Rep. Jordan Harris, doubles the funding available under a current critical program to safeguard non-profits at risk for hate crimes, like synagogues, mosques, churches, and LGBTQ+ centers. Examples of covered expenses under this program include security cameras, weapons detection systems, and security training for staff. Our bill, which allocates $5 million in additional monies for this grant program, passed with united Democratic support with a 153-49 vote. This summer, as part of our historic budget agreement, Governor Josh Shapiro signed our legislation into law!

No one should be afraid of being a victim of a violent crime based on who they love or who they worship. We head into a new year with much uncertainty for vulnerable groups. But our nation’s founding ideals of liberty, equality, and prosperity remain enshrined in our Constitution and nearby inspirational monuments like Independence Hall and The Statue of Liberty. As your state representative this new year, I promise to continue to be active and vocal in fighting for these principles to ensure all Pennsylvanians have the freedom and security to be themselves and live their best lives.