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What the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and how will it help gays and lesbians?

April 26, 2017ACT gays hate help law enforcement lesbians local

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What the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and how will it help gays and lesbians?

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What the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and how will it help gays and lesbians?The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed through Congress on October 22, 2009 as part of a defense department bill. The current hate crimes law defines a “hate crime” as one motivated by religion, race, national origin or color. The new hate crimes act expands the federal definition of hate crimes to include assaults based on sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity. Answer: I spoke with Sarah Scanlon, Regional Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign about Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill before congress. A hate crimes bill has nothing to do with sentencing crimes, but has to do with funding. The hate crimes bill which is also known as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act or the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will make federal funds from the Justice Department available to local law enforcement organizations to aid in investigatin