S.99 is the most recent attempt to enact a hate crimes bill.

We are one of only two states without such a bill. S.99 has been reported favorably out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is going to the Senate floor.

This bill does not define an independent class of crimes, but enhances penalties when the victim of a violent crime was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s perception of the race, color, religion, political views, sex, gender, national orientation, or physical or mental disability of the victim