© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill Would Expand Protection Against Hateful Threats, Assault, And Vandalism

Vetustense Photorogue
/
Flickr.com

The Oregon Senate has approved a bill that widens the definition – and consequences – of crimes based on a victim’s characteristics and identity.  KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.  

Senate Bill 356 renames “intimidation” crimes as bias crimes.  It also adds sex and ethnicity to the list of characteristics already prohibited as motivators for threatening or assaulting another person.

Credit Crossroads Foundation / Flickr.com
/
Flickr.com

Randy Blazak is with the Oregon Coalition Against Hate Crimes. He testified in support of the bill.  He says it clarifies the language of the state’s existing hate crime statute.

“…including the notion of what constitutes a 1st degree hate crime in the state of Oregon," Blazak tells KLCC.

"Previously before this bill you had to have two people involved - sort of a type of conspiracy - and we know from our sad experience, that sometimes one person can commit a pretty heinous hate crime.”

Under the bill, instigators could pay damages to victims, including for emotional distress.

The Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association testified against the bill.  Among its arguments is that factors outside character traits may spur an assault, so bias may not apply to an assailant’s motives.

The bill now goes to the Oregon House of Representatives.

Copyright 2017, KLCC. 

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content