CT HB06872

Consolidates and renames Connecticut's hate crime offenses, replacing "intimidation based on bigotry or bias" with specific categories including "hate crime causing physical injury" (class C felony, minimum $3,000 fine), "hate crime causing physical contact" (class D felony, minimum $1,000 fine), and "hate crime affecting property" (class D or E felony)

Creates new "protected social category" definition covering actual or perceived race, color, religion, ethnicity, disability, alienage, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age (60+), with expanded definitions for race (including hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, and sex

Establishes multiple new hate crime offenses including crimes targeting religious property, houses of worship, threatening religious facilities, cross burning, displaying nooses, deprivation of civil rights, discriminatory public accommodations, discriminatory housing practices, false reporting, stalking, and 9-1-1 misuse

Allows enhanced sentencing for specified violent crimes (murder, assault, sexual assault, robbery) when the finder of fact determines the defendant was motivated by a victim's protected social category, with murder eligible for life imprisonment without parole under these circumstances

Effective date of October 1, 2025, with provisions for persistent hate crime offenders to receive enhanced sentences (next higher degree of felony or misdemeanor) and requirements that charging documents specify when hate crime enhancements may apply