Bill > S956

This bill aims to protect LGBTQ victims by making several changes to the law. It prohibits defendants from using a victim's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sex assigned at birth as a justification for using force against the victim. It also states that any alleged provocation by the victim based on these factors is not considered objectively reasonable for the purposes of mitigating factors like sudden passion or heat of blood. Additionally, the bill specifies that a defendant does not suffer from a mental impairment affecting their intent or knowledge due to discovering or believing these factors about the victim. The bill requires the court to instruct juries to disregard biases or prejudices related to these factors when reaching a verdict. However, the bill allows for the admission of evidence of prior trauma to the defendant for the purpose of excusing, justifying, or mitigating the severity of the defendant's conduct.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S956