Other LanguagesOur Law Enforcement Toolkit provides you with:
Law Enforcement Bulletin – A general overview of the new hate crimes & bias incidents law and law enforcement obligations under the new law. Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Victim Pocket Referral Card – A general overview of the new hate crimes & bias incidents law and law enforcement obligations under the new law. Best Practices for Law Enforcement Responding to Hate Crimes or Bias IncidentsThe New Law – A link to the full text of 2024’s Enrolled Senate Bill 5427, codified as RCW 43.10.305
- RCW 43.10.305(5)(a) defines a Bias Incident under Washington Law based on actual or perceived characteristics defined in RCW 9A.36.080 or 49.60.030(1)
- RCW 9A.36.080 defines a Hate Crime offense
Federal Hate Crimes: A Quick Overview
- 18 U.S.C. § 245 covers the violent interference with federally-protected rights
- 18 U.S.C. § 249, aka the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 and the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act of 2022, covers bias-motivated violence against a person (and attempts with a weapon)
- 18 U.S.C. § 247 covers damage to religious property
- 42 U.S.C. § 3631, the federal Fair Housing Act, covers violent interference with access to housing
- 18 U.S.C. § 875 and 18 U.S.C. § 876 covers threats via internet, text or mail; bias motivation is not required but may be a sentencing enhancement
If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact the Washington AGO’s Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline team at hatebiashotline-noreply@atg.wa.gov, or contact our Civil Rights Division here Please note, the Attorney General’s office is prohibited by law from offering legal advice.