Washington could have a new hate crime hotline as early as 2025 thanks to a recently passed bill.
Senate Bill 5427, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, successfully passed the state House on Wednesday with unanimous support from Democrats and largely Republican opposition. The bill stated that the attorney general's office “shall oversee a hate crimes and bias incidents hotline staffed during business hours and dedicated to assisting individuals who have been targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents.” prejudices.”
The hotline would primarily “identify local service providers and culturally specific services” with a focus on “historically underserved communities.” Additionally, the office would establish an advisory committee with “diverse and inclusive representation” to provide advice and assistance.
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A new bill would help establish a hotline for reporting hate and bias crimes. (iStock)
The bill provides that a hotline pilot program must be developed and implemented in at least three Washington counties by July 2025 and that the program be available to all counties by January 2027. By July 2027, the office The attorney general will be required to provide information on hate crimes. and bias incidents reported to the hotline with an annual report available to the public.
It will now go to Governor Jay Inslee's desk to become law.
Senate Bill 5427 previously failed to pass the state Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2023 and critics attacked the bill as a “gossip hotline” that encourages people to “cash in” of hate crimes based on one of the provisions of the bill.
“The attorney general's office may provide compensation to persons targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents by authorizing expenditures from the Washington Bias Incident and Hate Crimes Account, established in section 3 of this act, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person targeted or affected by a specific hate crime or bias incident, subject to the availability of funds in the account and the requirements of this law,” the original House bill said.
The bill will be sent to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee for his signature. ((Photo by Elaine Thompson – Pool/Getty Images))
The latest Senate bill did not include references to compensation for “affected” people.
Washington lawmakers approved the creation of a category of hate crimes in 2019, defining such a crime as one in which a perpetrator intentionally or maliciously causes physical harm to another person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin and other identities.
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Hate crimes are considered serious crimes in Washington state. (iStock)
According to the attorney general's office, hate crimes are considered a class C felony in the state and are punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. Victims of hate crimes can also file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators for damages up to $100,000 along with attorneys' fees.
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Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report.
