AN ACT relating to hate crimes.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to provide an enhanced term of imprisonment for any defendant convicted of certain crimes when the defendant intentionally committed the offense because of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental or physical disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation; amend KRS 15.334 and 17.1523 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 508 to create the offense of using hate symbols to intimidate; repeal KRS 49.320 and 532.031.

Introduced: January 7, 2025

Last action: February 4, 2025

To Judiciary (H)

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This bill would create stronger prison sentences for crimes motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or similar characteristics. It would also establish a new criminal offense for using hate symbols to intimidate someone. It replaces existing hate crime statutes with this updated framework. Who it may affect: Kentuckians who are targeted because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity, as well as people charged with or convicted of bias-motivated crimes.

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