Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that authorizes consideration of bias in sentencing.

Highlights:

• Requires each law enforcement agency to submit bias crime reports using the National Incident Based Reporting System format, in accordance with Federal Bureau of Information guidelines (Sec. 1).

• Requires cultural diversity awareness training for law enforcement officers to include recognizing, investigating, and reporting bias motivated crimes (Sec. 1).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to provide their officers with continued law enforcement trainings for topics relating to (Sec. 3):

• Race;

• Religion;

• Gender;

• Age;  

• Domestic violence;

• National origin;

• Physical and mental disabilities; and

• How to recognize, investigate, and report bias motivated crimes.

• Authorizes courts to consider the following aggravating circumstances when determining what sentence to impose for a bias motivated crime (Sec. 3):

• The individual committed the offense with an intent to harm or intimidate an individual or group due to either real or perceived characteristics of the individual or group;

• These characteristics may include race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or age.

Full Bill Text