HB889: Slight Improvement in Outlook

FROM:  Pat Heck, Virginians for Justice   3/3/94

HB889, the watered-down hate crimes bill, is scheduled 
to be heard by the full Senate Courts of Justice committee 
on Sunday, March 6 at 2:00pm.  Note the change of start time.

Late on 3/2, a Courts of Justice subcommittee did
recommend (3-2) to the full committee that HB889 be killed
for this session.  This is potentially good news because it will
be difficult to get "sexual orientation" put back in the bill
at the full committee's meeting on Sunday.  The full
committee is, though, under no obligation to accept the
subcommittee's recommendation to kill the bill.

In case the bill is not killed, VJ hopes to pressure the 
committee to restore the bill's original inclusive language, 
thereby establishing protection for victims of hate crimes 
committed on the basis of sexual orientation.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PACK SENATE ROOM A in the
General Assembly Building in Richmond Sunday after-
noon.  We need to present a professional, but unified
opposition to HB889 in its current watered-down form.
This is likely our last chance to affect the bill's language.
The GA Bldg is located just NW of the Capitol Building in
downtown Richmond.

If there is a schedule change it will be distributed over
virginia-news.

Please spread this information widely!