COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act
- Last Action
- 5/18/2021
Actions
- 2021-05-18Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
- 2021-05-18Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
- 2021-03-11Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2021-03-11Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E235-236)
- 2021-03-11Introduced in House
- 2021-03-11Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-11 (00)
COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
This bill requires a designated officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hate crimes and reports of COVID-19 hate crimes.
It defines COVID-19 hate crime as a violent crime that is motivated by two things: (1) the actual or perceived characteristic (e.g., race or ethnicity) of any person, and (2) the actual or perceived relationship to the spread of COVID-19 of any person because of that characteristic.
The bill requires DOJ to issue guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies on (1) the establishment of online hate crime reporting processes and the availability of online reporting in multiple languages, and (2) the expansion of culturally competent education campaigns. Additionally, DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance on best practices for mitigating racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cosponsors (20)
- Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
- Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
- Michael San Nicolas (D-GU)
- GRACE NAPOLITANO (D-CA)
- Sara Jacobs (D-CA)
- NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D-NY)
- Ann Kuster (D-NH)
- Mark Takano (D-CA)
- Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
- Donald Payne (D-NJ)
- BETTY MCCOLLUM (D-MN)
- EDDIE JOHNSON (D-TX)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
- ALCEE HASTINGS (D-FL)
- CAROLYN MALONEY (D-NY)
- ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
- Gwen Moore (D-WI)
- BOBBY RUSH (D-IL)
- Judy Chu (D-CA)
Subjects
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Crime prevention
- Crime victims
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- Criminal justice information and records
- Department of Justice
- Disability and health-based discrimination
- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Federal officials
- Foreign language and bilingual programs
- Hate crimes
- Infectious and parasitic diseases
- Racial and ethnic relations
- Religion
- Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
- State and local government operations
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.