HB478

Kentucky HB478 amends hate crime laws to include additional protected classes and enhance penalties for hate crimes.

Kentucky HB478 modifies the state's hate crime statutes to expand the list of protected classes, including race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental or physical disability, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. The bill also mandates that law enforcement officers complete training on hate crimes, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Additionally, it increases penalties for crimes committed with a bias motivation and requires a separate hearing to determine if a crime was motivated by hate.