HB 1173: Gang Activity

This bill is part of an ongoing effort on the part of lawmakers to increase criminal penalties for existing offenses. In particular, H1173 would lower the threshold for someone to be considered a gang member or leader and increase penalties for certain gang-related activity. We already know that criminal punishment does not make our communities safer, but instead of investing in our communities, our lawmakers are reinforcing the systems that push more people, especially poor people and people of color, into the criminal legal system.