New Resolution Calls for Passage of Matthew Shepard Act
Assemblymember Eng Introduces Measure Supporting Federal Efforts to Prevent Bias-Related Hate Crimes. AJR 29 is Sponsored by EQCA.
Yuba dot NetBy: Equality California
Published: Jun 30, 2007 at 08:26
A resolution introduced late Thursday by Assemblymember Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, urges federal policy makers to support legislation preventing bias-related hate crimes and violence.
Assembly Joint Resolution 29, sponsored by Equality California, supports the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act. The federal measure would expand the nation's hate crimes protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. It also proposes to boost local law enforcement tools and resources to investigate and prosecute acts of violence against all protected communities of people. Current federal law only prohibits hate crimes that are motivated by race, color, national origin or religion when they take place while the victim is engaging in a federally-protected activity.
