The Federal Hate Crime Law

Now that the Federal Legislation expanding the scope of the U.S. Hate crime statute has been signed into law by President Obama, it will be interesting to see if the State of Alabama, or local municipalities, will take advantage of some of the federal support offered in the measure. The states and local governments can receive law enforcement training and funds to help prosecute hate crimes for the first time. Ironically, although Alabama's existing hate crime law does not include sexual orientation---it does include physical or mental disability. House Democrat Alvin Holmes (D - Montgomery) has introduced bills adding orientation to the existing law for years without success. Both orientation and disability were added to the Federal law today.