Bill
Bill > H4636
MA H4636
MA H4636To advance hate-crime protections for victims who are targeted due to their gender
summary
Introduced
10/23/2025
10/23/2025
In Committee
10/23/2025
10/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
194th General Court
Bill Summary
To advance hate-crime protections for victims who are targeted due to their gender
AI Summary
This bill proposes to modify Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding the word "sex" to the list of protected characteristics in hate crime statutes. Currently, the law prohibits criminal acts motivated by bias against certain characteristics, and this amendment would explicitly include gender (sex) as a protected category. By adding "sex" to the existing list of characteristics such as national origin, the bill aims to provide legal protections for victims who are targeted for hate crimes specifically because of their gender. This change would allow prosecutors to more effectively charge and potentially enhance penalties for crimes motivated by gender-based bias, potentially offering greater legal recourse and recognition for victims of gender-targeted violence.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Joint Committee on the Judiciary (Joint)
Last Action
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (on 10/23/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4636 |
| BillText | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4636.pdf |
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