Hate Crimes in Washington: Recent Changes in State and Federal Law and a Guide to Resources

Washington’s statutes prohibiting hate crimes are found at <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.078" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">RCW 9A.36.078</a> (Findings), <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.080" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">RCW 9A.36.080</a> (Definition and Criminal Penalty), and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.083" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">RCW 9A.36.083</a> (Civil Action). A hate crime statute has existed in Washington <a href="https://leg.wa.gov/CodeReviser/documents/sessionlaw/1981c267.pdf?cite=1981+c+267+%C2%A7+1" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">since 1981</a> when the crime was termed “malicious harassment.” Over the years the statute has been amended several times, enumerating the several acts and categories of bias covered in the law. A hate crime offense is a class C felony. Consult the statute <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.080" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> to find which acts and categories of bias are currently addressed in Washington. <a href="https://medium.com/walawlibrary/hate-crimes-in-washington-recent-changes-in-state-and-federal-law-and-a-guide-to-resources-9986df1cd6ee">Click Here</a>