Bill makes changes to hate crimes and creates a workgroup

HB 1732, sponsored by Rep. Javier Valdez (D–Seattle), aims to address the growing problem of hate crimes in Washington state.

The bill renames the crime of malicious harassment to that of a hate crime offense. The bill includes a person’s perceived gender expression or identity as a hate crime protected class.

HB 1732 also adds the following actions as those that a jury or judge may infer were committed with intent to threaten someone because of their perceived race or religion, if a person:

• Defaces religious property with words, symbols, or items that are derogatory to persons of the faith associated with the property;
• Places a vandalized or defaced religious item or scripture on the property of the victim;
• Places a noose on the property of a victim who is or whom the actor perceives to be of a racial or ethnic minority group; or
• Damages, destroys, or defaces religious garb or other faith-based attire belonging to the victim.

The bill also directs the Attorney General’s Office to convene a multidisciplinary Hate Crime Advisory Working Group to develop strategies toward raising awareness of, and responses to, hate crimes. The group must hold at least four meetings and issue a report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2020.

HB 1732 passed the House 85 –12. The bill passed out of its Senate policy committee and now awaits floor action.

AWC supports the bill.