Though hate crimes deserve condemnation, we opposed a piece of legislation that would have expanded the scope of the Hate Crimes Sentencing Act in a way which could have established a hate crime based solely on the defendant’s speech without a finding of animus. We expressed particular concerns over an expansion of the definition of “hate crime” to any person or group being the target of a crime “in whole or in part” due to a protected characteristic such as race. We noted the law could be used against, for example, Black Lives Matter protestors charged with a minor offense resulting from a protest against systemic racism. While this bill did pass the Senate, it died in committee in the House after expressions of opposition from the ACLU and other advocacy groups.
Hate Crimes Sentencing Act (H 6147 A, S 803)
Sponsors
Representative Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Senator Stephen Archambault
Related content

Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Restrictions on...
August 8, 2025
RI Judge Grants Motion to Block Trump-Vance Administration’s...
July 25, 2025
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
July 21, 2025
Broad Nationwide Coalition Sues in Rhode Island to Block Trump...
July 21, 2025
R.I. Latino Arts Argues in Court that “Gender Ideology” Is Still...
July 1, 2025
Settlement Reached in Smithfield School District Social Media...
July 1, 2025
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Seeks Injunction Against...
June 30, 2025
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi
June 16, 2025