Bill > HB1231

This bill amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to expand the definition of a hate crime by adding "employment as a peace officer" to the list of protected characteristics. Specifically, the bill now considers a hate crime to be any specified criminal offense (such as assault, battery, intimidation, stalking, etc.) committed against an individual because of their actual or perceived status as a peace officer, regardless of whether other motivating factors exist. The bill maintains the existing penalty structure for hate crimes, which classifies a first offense as a Class 4 felony and a second or subsequent offense as a Class 2 felony. Additionally, the bill preserves existing provisions that require offenders to perform community service (at least 200 hours) and attend educational programs designed to discourage hate crimes. The legislation also allows victims of hate crimes to pursue civil action, potentially receiving actual and punitive damages, with the court able to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation. This expansion of the hate crime definition aims to provide additional legal protection for peace officers who may be targeted because of their profession.