I didn’t learn about this until the debate on the House floor, I was siting up in the House gallery when a Republican representative asked a question to the Democratic sponsor of the bill.
What perked my ear was the non-discrimination bill and a felony. I knew the punishment in the non-discrimination bill didn’t mention what the penalties were, so I wondered what were they talking about?
When I got home I pulled up the and searched it for “felony” and sure enough it did mention “Class D” felony.
Now with all the right-wing extremist protesting at Drag events wearing masks I remember what I heard.
The non-discrimination law says,
Any person who, with the intent to subject, or cause to be subjected, any other person to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities, secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of this state or of the United States, on account of religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, blindness or physical disability, violates the provisions of section 46a-58, as amended by this act, while wearing a mask, hood or other device designed to conceal the identity of such person shall be guilty of a class D felony.
I also found that a Class D felony conviction can result in a state prison sentence ranging from one to five years and additional fines up to $5,000, so there is jail time.
That means those right-wing protesters wearing mask if they assault or threaten drag queens, or us, they can do hard time! But best of all it is a violent felony… no guns! They lose their right to own guns.
There is always that, and what it will boil down to is will the judge and jury think.
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