Legal definition:
"An unlawful act motivated by bias."

An aggressive expression of prejudice against another person or group of people simply because of who and what they are (http://www.partnersagainsthate.org/).

Until recently, the only hate crime law in existence was written in 1968. It permitted the federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the hate crime met two requirements:

• If it was motivated by bias based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
  
  AND
  
  
• If the assailant intended to prevent the victim from exercising a "federally protected right" such as voting or attending school.

At this time last year, current federal law did not include sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Under the previous definition, NONE of these cases were considered hate crimes.

- The new legislation expands the definition to include offenses involving actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

- Also includes grants to law enforcement officers to help cover the cost of prosecuting hate crimes and allow for federal assistance in cases as needed.

Read the full text of the
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2005

• Human Rights Coalition
  
• Civil Rights Coalition for the 21st Century
  
• Partners Against Hate
  
• HateCrime.org
  
• Hate Crime Research Network