HARRISBURG -- Attack someone because of their skin color, religion or national origin and it's considered a hate crime, which can warrant additional charges in Pennsylvania. Attack the same person because of ancestry, disability, sexual orientation or gender and it isn't. State Sen. Jim Ferlo, D, Highland Park, wants to change that by increasing the list of protected classes. Now. He's asking fellow lawmakers in both chambers to make that their first order of business in the legislative session, which begins Jan. 6, 2009. Hate crime has been a hot-button issue in Pennsylvania.