Should The LGBTQ Community Have Better Protections Under The Federal Definition Of Hate Crimes? (H.R. 442)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 442?
(Updated April 23, 2021)
This bill seeks to do a better job of including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community in the protections granted by federal hate crime laws.
H.R. 442 aims to do so by removing a current requirement that defines hate crimes as acts that:
• involve interstate travel on the part of the perpetrator or the defendant;
• involve a weapon;
• interfere with interstate commerce.
Argument in favor
LGBTQ people are far more likely than any other minority group in the U.S. to be victimized by hate crimes — they need protection under the law.
Argument opposed
A hate crime is a serious allegation. The current definition ensures that the crimes that are prosecuting have a serious impact on society too.
Impact
People in the LGBTQ community, law enforcement officials, the court and criminal justice systems, violent bigots and others who commit hate crimes.
Cost of H.R. 442
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
Of Note:
This bill comes in the wake of a high-profile assault on two gay men in central Philadelphia in September 2014 — an area that is part of Sponsoring Rep. Robert Brady’s (D-PA) home district. The incident also prompted action from Philadelphia’s city council.
In Depth:
This bill amends part of Title 18 of U.S. Code — better known as The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The section that it amends, 249, does not make the same kinds of requirements based on “race on color.”
Media:
Sponsoring Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA) Press Release
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