The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

The House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) today (249-175).

"[The vote] is a victory for those who may find themselves targeted because of the color of their skin, their gender identity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.  It is a victory for the families of victims of hate crimes – people like Angie Zapata of Colorado, Luis Ramirez of Pennsylvania, Billy Ray Johnson of Texas, and Matthew Shepard of Wyoming," said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of LCCR. "Today, the House has sent a clear message that Americans do not have to live in fear."

The LLEHCPA will authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.  Currently, the federal government can only investigate hate crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, and national origin.

It will also provide local authorities with more resources to combat hate crimes and give the federal government jurisdiction over prosecuting hate crimes in states where the current law is inadequate.

The bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by the president before becoming law.