SPOKANE, Wash.- A bill which would close a loophole in Washington hate crime law has passed the state Senate and is currently awaiting an executive session in the House.
SB 5917 is a response to multiple incidents of vandalism targeting rainbow crosswalks in the Perry District.
Under current state law, damaging or vandalizing private property because of someone’s race, gender or sexuality constitutes a hate crime.
However, it is not a hate crime under current state law if public property is defaced in the interest of targeting a marginalized group.
The bill, which passed the state senate without the support of the majority of the Republican caucus, closes the private property loophole.
Spokane City Council member Paul Dillon voiced his support for the policy.
“This bill gives us a new, much needed tool and helps us all to aspire to live our city motto ‘In Spokane, we all belong.” Passing this critical legislation is a top priority for our City,” Dillon said.
The bill is primary sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D), and will appear before the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice and Reentry on Feb. 20.
