Budget Amendment ID: FY2020-S3-1107-R1

Redraft EPS 1107

Increasing penalties for hate crimes

Messrs. Tarr, deMacedo, Tran, Humason and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting before section 4 the following section:-

“SECTION A4. Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 220. There shall be a task force on hate crimes. The task force shall consist of: the secretary of public safety or a designee, who shall serve as co-chair; and not more than 20 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be designated by the governor to serve as co-chair. Members of the task force appointed by the governor may include, but shall not be limited to: representatives of victim assistance agencies; advocates for communities affected by hate crimes; representatives from the attorney general’s office; representatives from the district attorneys’ offices; representatives from state, local and university police departments; educators and students; and persons with expertise or experience in hate crimes issues.

The task force shall advise on issues relating to hate crimes, including the prevalence, deterrence and prevention of hate crimes, how best to combat hate crimes and the support of victims of hate crimes. The task force shall: (i) promote full and effective cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies and communities affected by hate crimes to improve prevention, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes; (ii) develop best practices related to technical assistance for school districts that may seek to incorporate hate crime education into their curricula; (iii) recommend policies, procedures and programs to ensure state and local governments provide enhanced support for victims of hate crimes and their communities; (iv) encourage and assist law enforcement agencies in reporting hate crimes pursuant to sections 32 to 35, inclusive, of chapter 22C, including assistance in gathering, analyzing and publishing hate crime reports; (v) encourage law enforcement agencies to enforce section 39 of chapter 265; and (vi) recommend any appropriate legislation, regulations, policies or procedures to better combat hate crimes.

The task force shall meet not less than quarterly each year at the direction of the co-chairs. Annually, not later than December 31, the task force shall submit a report to the governor, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on the judiciary and the joint committee on public safety and homeland security. The report shall address the mission of the task force, targeted objectives, options and recommended actions and metrics to measure the effect of such recommendations on hate crimes. The report may also include any recommended legislation, regulations, policies or procedures to better combat hate crimes.

The co-chairs may establish subcommittees comprised of members of the task force and non-members drawn from various groups and organizations with expertise or experience in hate crimes issues.”.