About The Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009:
The Federal Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) passed the U.S. House on April 29, 2009 by a vote of 249 to 175. The bill expands 1969 federal hate crime laws to include sexual orientation, gender expression or identity and disability. Previous hate crime laws gave the Justice Department authority to prosecute crimes motivated only by race, color, national origin and religion.
The Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 was first introduced in 2007. The bill, sponsored by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), passed by a vote of 237 to 180.
The Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 was first introduced in 2007. The bill, sponsored by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), passed by a vote of 237 to 180.
Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act Dies In The Senate:
April 12, 2007 Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced the expanded hate crimes bill in the Senate as the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105). The bill was included as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1585), which increased military personnel pay. President Bush threatened to veto the defense bill if the Matthew Shepard Act was included. The Matthew Shepard Act failed in the Senate. However, President Barack Obama urged Congress to make the bill a priority and it was reintroduced in April of 2009.
Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 Passes House:
The Federal Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, dubbed H.R. 1913, was reintroduced in 2009. The bill passed the House on April 29, 2009 by a vote of 249 to 175.
Why We Need The Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009:
Race-based hate crimes leading up to the civil rights movement prompted federal legislation to help deter and prevent such acts. However, these law enforcement "definitions" of what makes a crime a hate crime have not been expanded since 1969. The need for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in hate crime legislation has become more apparent given the continual increase in violence against LGBT people... more.
Are Hate Crimes A Problem?:
Hate crimes against LGBT people has steadily increased year to year. The FBI reported 1,460 hate crime offenses based on sexual-orientation bias in 2007 alone, up from 1,415 the previous year.
Public Opinion:
A 2007 Gallup poll showed that 68 percent of Americans favored expanding hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
How You Can Support Hate Crime Legislation:
Including sexual orientation and gender expression and identity in federal hate crime legislation can help ensure that resources are available to properly investigate anti-LGBT crimes and help deter these heinous crimes. You can still help make federal hate crime laws more inclusive by contacting your local house representative or senator.
