On the Issues
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HATE CRIMES In September 2007, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 passed the Senate as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Levin has long been a supporter of this legislation. The legislation will, for the first time, expand the definition of a hate crime to include gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation. It gives the Justice Department jurisdiction over crimes of violence committed because of a person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability whereas existing law only covers race, color, religion, or national origin-based hate crimes, where the victim was engaging in one of six �federally protected activities.�* The legislation also expands federal jurisdiction to provide protection against hate crimes. Under current federal law, hate crimes can only be prosecuted if they involve race, color, religion, or national origin and the victim was engaging in one of six �federally protected activities.� The legislation that passed the Senate eliminated this requirement. Senator Levin believes that his legislation is long overdue and is hopeful that this legislation will be signed into law. *The six federally protected activities are attending or enrolling in any public school or public college; participating in any benefit, service, privilege, program, facility or activity administered by a state or local government; applying for or working in private or state employment; serving as a juror or prospective juror in a state court; using a facility of interstate commerce or a common carrier; or enjoying public accommodations or places of exhibition or entertainment. |
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