DC Council passes hate crimes omnibus bill, bans gay and trans “panic” defenses
Bill expands types of crimes that can be prosecuted, and allows D.C. s Attorney General to seek civil damages for hate crimes
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Councilmember and Judiciary Chair Charles Allen – Photo: Facebook.
On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a hate crimes omnibus bill that strengthens the District’s ability to protect residents from hate crimes, and bans the use of gay or trans “panic” defense as a justification for a perpetrator’s violent acts.
The bill is known as the “Bella Evangelista and Tony Hunter Panic Defense Prohibition and Hate Crimes Response Amendment Act of 2020.”