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Bill Seeks Hate-Crime Protection For Cops, Others

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) -- A bill has been proposed that would toughen the penalty for crimes linked to prejudice against police officers, correctional officers, firefighters, and other first responders.

Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City, introduced the bill (HB 309) Wednesday that would add law enforcement and other emergency workers to an already-existing state law that increases the penalty for crimes based on race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

Under the proposed law, the penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor is increased to a third-degree felony.

The proposal will be up for consideration during the 2016 legislative session starting in January.

(The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)

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