Plain English Breakdown
The official metadata lists 'Passed Legislature' as status explanation but also shows a later action of 'Held under submission,' creating uncertainty about the final legal standing.
Hate Crimes: Political Affiliation
AB-1535 adds political affiliation to the list of protected characteristics in hate crime laws and allows courts to increase sentences for felonies motivated by a victim's politics.
What This Bill Does
- Adds political affiliation to the existing list of traits that can make a criminal act a hate crime.
- Allows judges to consider political motivation as a reason to give longer prison terms for felony convictions.
- Defines 'political affiliation' as belonging to, supporting, or endorsing a political party, its platform, or a politician.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who commit felonies motivated by the victim's actual or perceived political views.
- Courts and judges deciding sentences in felony cases involving hate crimes.
Terms To Know
- Hate crime
- A criminal act committed because of the victim's actual or perceived characteristics, such as race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
- Political affiliation
- Belonging to a political party, supporting a party's platform, or endorsing a politician or their ideas.
- Circumstance in aggravation
- A factor that allows a court to increase the punishment for a crime during sentencing.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill states no state reimbursement is required, but does not specify the exact reason why.
- The official status shows conflicting information: it passed both chambers yet was later held in committee.