Olympia, Washington: State legislators in Washington are introducing a bill to expand the criteria for prosecuting hate crimes. Sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Rep.
Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), the proposed legislation, SB 5038/HB 1052, seeks to hold perpetrators accountable even when bias is only part of their motivation for committing a crime.
The bill modifies the existing hate crime statute by changing the phrase "because of" to "in whole or in part because of," addressing cases where mixed motives lead to violence or other offenses.
Advocates argue this change closes gaps in the current law, which can result in not-guilty verdicts even when clear evidence of bias exists.
“This is about fairness, dignity, and ensuring the justice system works for everyone,” said Ryu.
The proposed change aligns Washington with other states like California and New York, which have adopted similar measures to address mixed-motive hate crimes.
Victims of hate crimes, regardless of the severity of the offense, often experience lasting trauma. King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Yessenia Manzo noted that these acts have a profound impact on targeted communities.
If passed, the legislation would offer juries greater flexibility in convicting individuals whose actions are partially motivated by bias, reinforcing the state’s commitment to justice and equity.