2009 Senate Bill 497 (Create “bias-motivated” crime )

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Introduced by Sen. Hansen Clarke (D) on April 30, 2009, to establish a new “bias-motivated” criminal offense for a person who selects the target of a violent crime or property crime based on victim’s disability; gender; national origin or ancestry; race, color, or ethnicity; religion; sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of gender; or a person’s or group’s association with one or more of these. Violations would be subject to up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine if the underlying (“predicate”) crime is a misdemeanor, and up to 50 percent more than the sentence authorized for the predicate crime if it is a felony. A person could not be convicted of both the predicate crime and the “bias-motivated” crime (prosecutors would have to choose one or the other). .
- Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 30, 2009.

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1) Re: 2009 Senate Bill 497 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) [by kattyka on June 16, 2009]

Tennessee GOP Staffer & Racist Obama Spook Photo reason we still need this type of legislation

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2) Re: 2009 Senate Bill 497 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) [by kattyka on June 16, 2009]

Sad that we need this type of legislation, but obviously we do.Historical Keepsake Photo: Tennessee GOP Staffer Emails Racist Obama "Spook" Photo digg Huffpost - Historical Keepsake Photo: Tennessee GOP Staffer Emails Racist Obama "Spook" Photo stumble reddit del.ico.us ShareThisThe Huffington Post | Rachel Weiner First Posted: 06-16-09 09:07 AM | Updated: 06-16-09 04:01 PM I Like ItI Don’t Like It Read More: Gop Racist Email, Sherri Goforth, Tennessee Gop Racist Email, Tennessee Republicans, Tn Gop Racist Email, Politics News Show your support. Digg this article. Get Breaking News Alerts never spam Share Print CommentsSherri Goforth, an executive assistant for Tennessee State Rep. Diane Black (R-Gallatin), sent this picture out to other legislative staffers: The email was headlined "Historical Keepsake Photo." One staffer who received the email publicized it online: I talked to my local rep, Mark Maddox about it, and described the picture to him at a recent fund raising event. I think he was as appalled as I was. I was going to post it last week but there was a death in my family and I had to think about it. Because it made me mad. But, you know, people need to know that this stuff is going on. I would be just as angry if a democratic staffer had sent it. Dammit, Tennessee, haven't we moved past this kind of crap. I'm serious. Goforth admitted to sending the email, but she apologized only for sending it to the wrong people. "I went on the wrong email and I inadvertently hit the wrong button," Goforth said. "I'm very sick about it, and it's one of those things I can't change or take back."

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3) Re: 2009 Senate Bill 497 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) [by Mike Hignite on June 16, 2009]

It is a waste of time and energy to try to pass a law punishing thoughts. Just have the law punish crimes and let it go. How do you prove it? Based on group identification? Library books read? Political parties, or lack thereof?

Do we really care why someone stole a car? Whether the victim is a member of a vulnerable class or not doesn't affect what was done.

Let's not grandstand to various groups to show how politically correct you are.

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