S.C. House passes the Clementa C. Pinkney Hate Crimes Act in bipartisan effort

Bill passes second reading by a vote of 84-31

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – March 8 – The S.C. House passed H. 3014, the Clementa C. Pinkney Hate Crimes Act by a vote of 84-31 on Wednesday afternoon.

“The House passing the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act is a victory for civil rights,” Rep Wendell Gillard (D- Charleston) said. “Now, it’s time for the Senate to act and finish the job.”

H. 3014 would add penalty enhancements for violent crimes where the victim was targeted because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or religion.

The S.C. House passed this legislation with broad bipartisan support in 2021, but the bill stalled in the Senate.

South Carolina is one of only two states without a hate crimes law.

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