A victim of a hate crime could seek damages in a civil action under House Bill 290.

During today’s debate on the House floor, too many of my Republican colleagues spoke inaccurately about what the bill would do.

That prompted me to speak.

As the House sponsor of the original Hate Crimes Act, I rise in support of this bill. 

Hate crimes are underlying criminal acts.  We enhance the penalty because of the nature of the motivation to commit that act – because it’s directed against people of certain characteristics.

Such a law was approved by the Supreme Court unanimously, and this bill simply applies that standard to a civil action.

Free speech is in no way harmed or limited by this bill.

My Torts professor in law school might have given me a B-.  The bill passed the House, 94-41.