hate crimes law

The first reading of a county-wide hate crime law did not pass during the Tuesday evening meeting.

Tuesday, Jonathan Felkel pleaded guilty to state charges of hate intimidation and first-degree assault and battery. He received an eight-year sentence that will run concurrently with his federal sentence.

The Hollywood Town Council unanimously passed a local hate crime ordinance during its meeting Monday night.

Democrats in the South Carolina Senate have turned debate about a bill to set guidelines for history curriculum on subjects like slavery and segregation into discussion about why the body can't take a vote on a hate crimes bill. South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states in the U.S. without a law allowing extra punishment for a violent act that a judge or jury has determined is a hate crime. Democrats have vented their frustration that the bill probably won't pass again in 2023. Republican leaders say crafting lessons to teach children about the wrongs of slavery and segregation would do more to stop hate than the hate crimes bill.