OH HB341

Create the Bureau of Hate Crimes within the Office of the Attorney General, with a director and necessary staff appointed by the Attorney General.

Define "hate crime" as a crime motivated by or manifesting evidence of prejudice based on actual or perceived race, color, gender and gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation.

Authorize the Bureau to investigate hate crimes, maintain statistics, assist in prevention efforts, and request technical and forensic assistance from the U.S. Attorney General under 34 U.S.C. 30303.

Grant the Attorney General authority to prosecute any crime believed to be a hate crime by presenting evidence to county prosecutors, and allow the Attorney General to proceed with prosecution if the county prosecutor does not act within a reasonable time.

Require the Attorney General to maintain a webpage for the Bureau of Hate Crimes with a telephone number for reporting suspected hate crimes.