IN SB0418

Defines "bias motivated crime" as an offense where a person knowingly or intentionally selects a victim or targets property based on the victim's or owner's perceived or actual color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or association with a recognizable group.

Requires law enforcement agencies to collect information on bias motivated crimes and submit reports to the Indiana central repository for criminal history information and the Federal Bureau of Investigation at least twice annually using the national incident based reporting system.

Establishes that committing a crime with intent to harm or intimidate an individual because of their perceived or actual race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or ethnicity is an aggravating circumstance that courts may consider when imposing criminal sentences.

Requires the Indiana central repository to submit annual compiled bias crime reports to law enforcement agencies and the legislative council in electronic format, with all personally identifying information of perpetrators and victims redacted.

Effective date: July 1, 2018.