PENNSYLVANIA: Legislative Session Ends Without Passage Of Hate Crimes Bill

Via Philadelphia Gay News:

House Bill 177 had gained momentum in the House following last month’s gay-bashing incident in Philadelphia, and cleared the House Judiciary Committee last week. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.) introduced the bill and said he worked aggressively to push it to the House floor, but came up against more roadblocks. “Republican leadership, i.e. Speaker [Sam] Smith, is responsible for putting the bill on the agenda, and he has not done it,” said Boyle’s legislative assistant Nick Himebaugh on Tuesday. Smith (R-66th Dist.) did not respond to a request for comment from PGN. Additionally, state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12th Dist.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, never called HB 177’s Senate counterpart, SB 42, to a vote. Thus, both bills are likely effectively dead until the next session, which begins Jan. 6.

The only chance now is for a lame duck session to be called. That is considered unlikely. (Tipped by JMG reader Joe)