Arkansas House sends governor stripped-down hate crimes bill apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The bill is defined by some as hate crimes legislation, while others say it is not specific enough to be considered as a hate crimes bill.
Under the bill, Arkansans convicted of certain violent offenses against members of a recognizable and identifiable group would have to serve at least 80% of their sentences. The bill defines these groups as sharing mental, physical, biological, cultural, political, or religious beliefs or characteristics.
Currently, Arkansas is one of few states in the nation that has not passed a hate crimes bill. Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared before the start of this legislative session that the passage of such a bill was one of his priorities.
House Speaker Matthew Shepherd talks up the substitute hate crimes bill that passed Monday.
A watered-down substitute for a hate crime bill passed the House Monday, leaving Arkansas still among the only three states without meaningful legislation to protect commonly targeted groups.
The House passed Senate Bill 622 with 65 yes votes, 26 nos and five lawmakers voting present. The bill already has Senate approval, and now heads to the governor’s desk.
Governor Hutchinson has indicated he will sign the bill into law.
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House members pass SB 622, a substitute for the hate crimes bill rejected earllier this session.
The bill requires that someone convicted of committing crimes targeting victims based on their group or class to serve a minimum of 80% of his or her sentence. Unlike hate crimes bills in other states, though, this bill does not specify what those classes or groups are. House Speaker