Judiciary Committee

JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT

SPONSORS OF BILL:

Judiciary Committee

REASONS FOR BILL:

This bill is the result of legislation proposed by Representative Hewett, 39^th District. In the state, many individuals become the victims of violence and intimidation because they are homeless or are perceived to be so. This bill seeks to prevent violence against these individuals by classifying such actions as a hate crime thereby increasing the penalties for such offenses.

SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE:

This bill was amended during a Judiciary Committee meeting and the following changes were made:

RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:

None Submitted

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:

Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH), Lisa P. Sementilli: Supports this bill. Ms. Sementilli describes the high demand for resources that assist the homeless and also the violence and mistreatment that many of these individuals face. She believes that many of these events are based on ignorance and bias. The CCEH thinks that this bill is a good first step diminishing violence and bias against the homeless. In addition to the changes proposed by this bill, Ms. Sementilli also suggests that the legislature consider housing-based solutions in order to curtail homelessness, as the CCEH believes that stable housing is the first step establishing a stable life. In particular, she supports the Governor Malloy's “rapid re-housing” proposal that would increase funds to programs that help relocate and financially stabilize homeless families.

Connecticut Homeless Human Rights Campaign: Supports this bill. The Connecticut Homeless Human Rights Campaign submitted a brochure listing facts about homelessness in the state and the nation as a whole. The campaign informs that 20% of individuals surveyed reported that they had been the victim of violence while homeless in Hartford in 2012. The CT Homeless Human Rights Campaign believes that violent acts towards the homeless should be classified as a protected group under hate crime law as this particular group regularly faces discrimination and violence due to their living situation.

Faces of Homelessness, Nate Fox: Supports this bill. As a homeless ally, Mr. Fox says that he has seen and heard firsthand the mistreatment of homeless individuals as a result of ignorance, bigotry and hate. He shared the story of a homeless individual who had rocks thrown at him by a group of young people, and when he tried to defend himself, more young people joined in on the attack. After the attack, the individual was left covered in welts. Mr. Fox believes that the number of attacks on homeless individuals is higher than the 20% reported due to the fact that many victims are afraid to report their attacks. Although he argues that eliminating violence and bigotry against these individuals will only happen when the country eliminates homelessness, Mr. Fox does think that this is a good step in that direction.

Institute of Violence Prevention & Reduction (IVPR) at the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work: Supports this bill. The IVPR submitted four stories of homeless individuals who were violently attacked. These attacks took place in North Carolina, California and Iowa in 2011. In most of the situations, these individuals were left with injuries that required medical attention, such as broken bones and stab wounds. Some also had property damaged or stolen from them during the attack.

Charter Oak Cultural Center, Rabbi Donna Berman: Supports this bill. Rabbi Berman believes that this bill will make the state more just and humane, and an example for the rest of the nation in how to protect those facing homelessness. She explains that those who are homeless lack the sense of and actual safety that comes with living in your own home. The Rabbi thinks that the homeless have few resources to help them prevent or deal with an attack. She reasons that crimes of violence against the homeless must be treated as the acts of hate and bigotry that they are and therefore supports the bill as it will protect some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Journey Home, Matthew Collin Morgan: Supports this bill. Mr. Morgan has experienced stigma and bias as a result of his sexual orientation. He thinks that Connecticut has become a leader in expanding rights for gay couples and that it has the potential to also become a leader in expanding rights for the homeless community. Mr. Morgan described the story of an individual who was hit in the head by a golf club wielded by a complete stranger. Unfortunately, he says that this is common, and while the penalty for such an act should be a class C felony, many of the victims are treated unequally due to their homeless status. Mr. Morgan agrees with this bill, and believes that designating violence and bigotry against the homeless as a hate crime is necessary due to the stigma that this group constantly faces.

Sloane Sandler, Homeless Ally: Supports this bill. Ms. Sandler is a homeless ally who has heard many stories of violence perpetrated against those facing homelessness. She states that homelessness can affect anyone and while the cause of their situation may be different, the poor treatment that they face is a common trend. Ms. Sandler explains that due to a lack of medical resources available to them, homeless individuals have even greater difficulty stabilizing their lives after an attack. The homeless are some of the most vulnerable citizens in the state, and Ms. Sandler argues that we must no longer ignore these by taking the first step towards protecting the homeless by passing this bill.

Tracy Choomack, Homeless Ally: Supports this bill. As a victim of street violence, Ms. Choomack says that she knows far too well the residual fear that one is left with after suck an attack. She feels, however, that she was extremely lucky because she had a home to go back to in which she felt protected and resources to turn to for help. She is very concerned that homeless victims of violence do not have these same means of support. Ms. Choomack believes that this bill would provide them with the resources and dignity that any victim deserves.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:

None Submitted