HB 1418 Summary

• Defines "bias motivated crime" as an offense where the offender intentionally selected the victim or damaged property based on the victim's actual or perceived color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity.

• Enhances criminal penalties by one felony level for 16 specified offenses (battery, aggravated battery, strangulation, kidnapping, criminal confinement, robbery, arson, criminal mischief, burglary, residential entry, criminal trespass, theft, criminal conversion, intimidation, harassment, and stalking) when committed as bias motivated crimes.

• Requires law enforcement officers to receive mandatory training in identifying, responding to, and reporting bias motivated crimes by December 31, 2014.

• Amends law enforcement data collection requirements to include bias motivated crime information submitted to the FBI and state central repository at least twice yearly.

• Creates civil liability allowing victims of bias motivated acts to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, costs, and attorney's fees; parents of minor bias motivated offenders are also liable under certain conditions.