COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act (S. 937)

Summary

Makes it easier for the government to review hate crimes linked to COVID-19 and helps local police better report these incidents.

What problem does this solve?

After the COVID-19 pandemic started, there was a large increase in hate crimes and violence, especially against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. This law speeds up the review of these crimes and gives police better tools and training to track and report them accurately.

What does this law do?

Appoints a new Department of Justice official

Requires the Attorney General to assign an official to speed up the review of hate crimes related to COVID-19.

Issues guidance to local police

Directs the Attorney General to provide guidance to state and local law enforcement on how to establish online hate crime reporting and run public education campaigns.

Funds better hate crime reporting systems

Creates grants for states and local governments to help them implement the National Incident-Based Reporting System to improve hate crime data collection.

Funds state-run hate crime hotlines

Authorizes the Attorney General to give grants to states to create hotlines for reporting hate crimes.

Allows for alternative sentencing

Permits courts to order a person convicted of a hate crime to take educational classes or perform community service related to the community they harmed.

Raises public awareness

Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance aimed at raising public awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic.

Who does this affect?

Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders
State and local law enforcement agencies
Victims of hate crimes

What is the real world impact?

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Addresses rising anti-Asian hate

Responds directly to the sharp increase in hate crimes and violence against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Improves national hate crime data

Includes the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act to fix long-standing problems with how hate crimes are reported, aiming to get a more accurate picture of the problem nationwide, not just for COVID-related incidents.

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Encourages local police participation

Provides grants to state and local police departments to encourage them to adopt better hate crime tracking and reporting systems. However, its success depends on whether these agencies choose to apply for the funding and implement the changes.

When does this start?

This law takes effect immediately and sets several deadlines for government agencies to act.

Designation of DOJ Official

Within 7 days of the law's enactment, the Attorney General must designate an official to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes.

Compliance with Information Collection

States and local governments receiving grants must begin complying with information collection requirements no later than 1 year after the law is passed.

Hate Crime Reporting Mandate

States and local governments that receive a grant must begin providing hate crime data to the Attorney General within 3 years of first receiving the grant.