In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and, in particular rights and immunities, further prohibiting civil rights violations.

This bill redefines hate crimes from 'ethnic intimidation' to include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, strengthening protections for the LGBTQ+ community in response to the rise in violence against that community.

The LGBTQ+ community is five times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ individuals to be victims of violent crimes. The bill explicitly recognizes crimes targeting individuals on the basis of LGBTQ+ status as hate crimes and allows victims access to stronger civil remedies.

Expanding the Ethnic intimidation Statute