Senate to Hear Bias Crimes Bill Next Week

The head of the Indiana Senate tells Indy Politics his chamber will hear hate crimes legislation next week.

President Pro Tempore Rod Bray says the Senate Public Policy Committee will hear SB 12, which would allow courts to consider bias as an aggravating factor when sentencing a defendant for a crime.

Under the legislation, the courts can consider crimes based on race, gender,  sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or public safety employment status when sentencing.

The bill also calls for law enforcement to keep track of such incidents.