Stop Hate Crimes Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
Introduced
Summary
Clarifies the causation standard for federal hate crimes. The bill would amend 18 U.S.C. 249(a) to replace the phrase "because of" with "if" and to require that a protected characteristic "was a contributory motivating factor for causing or attempting to cause such injury."
Show full summary
- People targeted for protected characteristics like race, religion, or disability would see federal hate-crime charges hinge on whether bias contributed to the injury, not just whether it was a general motive.
- Federal prosecutors and investigators would have to allege and prove that bias was a contributory motivating factor when pursuing charges under 18 U.S.C. 249.
- Federal courts and defense attorneys would use the clarified wording to guide charging decisions, trial arguments, and jury instructions in hate-crime cases.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clearer bias test in federal hate crimes
This bill would clarify how prosecutors must prove bias in federal hate-crime cases. It would replace "because of" with "if" and add that a protected trait was a "contributory motivating factor" in causing or attempting to cause injury. If passed, this could make it clearer or easier to show bias in court. Victims, defendants, law enforcement, and federal prosecutors would be affected. The change would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Cosponsors
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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