Alaska Hate Crimes Bill Advancing But Still Needs Help

We have good news! Not only did SB 202 (Alaska Hate Crimes Bill) pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last Wednesday, March 17th, it did so with the amendment we requested; the addition of gender identity as one of the protected classes!

Initially the Hate Crimes Bill did not include gender identity as a protected class. After we asked the committee for the bill to be amended to include gender identity, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee - Senator Hollis French was able to successfully amend the proposed bill. It wasn't easy, but Senator French was able to convince enough of his fellow Senators on his committee to support the amendment and move the bill out of committee.

Thank you for all your messages and activism. Also, please thank everyone you know who sent messages and Public Opinion Messages (POMs) to Senate Judiciary members.

The bill has now been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. There are not many days left in this legislative session, so it is important that this bill be scheduled and heard soon.

Further action is needed on your part between now and Thursday, March 25th.

Please call or send a message to ask Finance Co-Chairs' - Senator Stedman and Senator Hoffman to schedule the bill for a hearing and to encourage them for a speedy vote as it has a zero fiscal note. It is very likely that this bill will NOT be scheduled for a hearing without the Finance Committee Co-Chairs hearing from us. So don't delay.

Co-Chairs:

Senator Hoffman
866.465.4453
Senator_Lyman_Hoffman@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Stedman
877.463.3873
Senator_Bert_Stedman@legis.state.ak.us

You might also consider copying the bill's sponsor Senator Davis at Senator_Bettye_Davis@legis.state.ak.us today, and it is always a good idea to copy your own state senator as well.

You can also send a Public Opinion Message or POM, which is a short and easy-to-send 50 word message that should be addressed specifically to the Senators listed above. To send a POM go to: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/

Your POM could say something like this:

"I strongly support SB 202 because it emphasizes that Alaska has no tolerance for crimes motivated by bias and hatred based on inherent characteristics!"

Additionally, the following talking points are provided for your use in sending a message to legislators regarding SB 202.

1. We support SB 202 introduced by Senator Davis in the second session of the 26th Alaska Legislature because:

a) it covers crimes motivated by prejudice, bias, or hatred based on the victim's sexual orientation as well as on other inherent characteristics.

b) we recognize that hate crimes are not limited to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) community but occur throughout minority communities and are designed to create fear. This bill emphasizes that Alaska has no tolerance for such acts.

c) the Alaska court system has primary jurisdiction over crimes of assault and battery which may result in prosecution as hate crimes when occurring in Alaska.

d) Alaska prosecutors and law enforcement officials need the support and force of an Alaska statute in order to most effectively investigate, prosecute, and track all potential hate crimes within the state.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at alaskanstogether@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors
Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.

P.S. – After you call and write your message, please forward this message or tell your friends and family what is at stake and ask them to contact Senator Hoffman and Senator Stedman.

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