Hate Crime Legislation Expands to Include People With Disabilities

The House of Representatives passed legislation Oct. 8th that would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

So, what exactly are the existing federal hate crimes protections? And what would change by expanding them to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability?

Current federal hate crimes provisions punish those who by force or threat of force willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with any person (or attempt to do so) because of the person's race, color, religion or national origin, and because that person is engaging in a number of activities, including:

• enrolling in or attending any public school or college;
• participating in any benefit, service, privilege, program, facility or activity provided or administered by any state or state subdivision;
• applying for employment by any private employer or any agency of any state, or joining any labor organization, hiring hall, or employment agency;
• serving on or attending any state court in connection with possible jury service;
• traveling or using any facility of interstate commerce, or using any vehicle, terminal, or facility of any common carrier by motor, rail, water, or air; and
• enjoying the accommodations or services of hotels, restaurants, gas stations, theater, concert hall, stadium, or any other place of exhibition or entertainment which serves the public.

Violation of this law may bring (in addition to any state charges), federal fine or imprisonment up to one year. If the crime involves a dangerous weapon or results in bodily harm, the penalty can be up to 10 years in prison. If the crime includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault, an attempt to kill, or if the crime results in death, the federal punishment can include the death penalty.

If the bills moving through the House and Senate run their course, crimes targeting anyone based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, and the fact that they are participating in the above describes activities, would be eligible for the same punishment.

In addition to bolstering federal punishments, the pending hate crimes legislation would allow the Department of Justice to aid in hate crime investigations and prosecutions if requested by local authorities, and set aside money ($5 million) to help local communities investigate hate crimes.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com