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MONTPELIER - Changes to existing Vermont hate crimes legislation that offer additional protection to victims of bias-motivated offenses were signed into law last month.
"This puts teeth in the hate crimes bill," said Governor Howard Dean as he signed Act 56, which took effect July 1.
The legislation provides for relief from abuse orders for victims of hate-motivated crimes to be issued at the request of either the victim or the Attorney General. Such orders are similar to those issued in cases of domestic abuse. A person suspected of a hate crime can be ordered by a judge to have no contact with the victim or anyone else who is or is perceived to be a member of the protected category.
According to this statute, "protected category" includes race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, service in the armed forces of the United States, handicap, sexual orientation and gender identity, and perceived membership in any such group.
Keith Goslant of the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights looks forward to using this new legislation in finalizing a hate crimes training program for police officers.
The comprehensive training, said Goslant, "will strengthen the commitment to ensuring all citizens are afforded the equal protection from acts of violence that the original hate crimes law intended.
Representative Ann Seibert of Norwich was a chief proponent of the bill. "I think Vermont should be proud of this," she noted, "It's another very important tool in the tool box."
