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WashingtonHB 10522025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Clarifying a hate crime offense.

Sponsored By: Cindy Ryu (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Hate crimes defined with felony penalties

The law defines a hate crime as assault, property damage, or a true threat done partly because of race, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. A hate crime is a class C felony. Prosecutors can also charge and punish any other crimes committed during the hate crime. The law defines key terms, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and what counts as a threat.

Rules for threats and trial evidence

For threat-based cases, fear is judged by a reasonable person who shares the victim’s key traits. Words alone are not a hate crime unless context shows a real threat, and not if it is clear the speaker cannot carry it out. Juries may infer a biased threat from acts like burning a cross, using Nazi symbols, defacing religious sites, damaging religious attire, or placing a noose. A defendant cannot claim they were mistaken about the victim’s identity. Courts cannot use past speech or group ties as proof unless it directly relates to the crime.

Victims keep civil options, no new rights

Criminal penalties do not block victims from suing or using other legal remedies. The law does not create new civil rights beyond what state or federal law already provides.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Shelley Kloba

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 88

House vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 59 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/13/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 61 • No: 31 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/12/2025House

  2. Chapter 249, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 59; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/18/2025House

  7. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/18/2025House

  8. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/3/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/3/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/3/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/26/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    3/20/2025House

  15. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/20/2025House

  16. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/17/2025House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 61; nays, 31; absent, 0; excused, 6.

    2/13/2025House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2025House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/13/2025House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/11/2025House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/17/2025House

  22. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/16/2025House

  23. CS - Majority; do pass.

    1/16/2025House

  24. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/16/2025House

  25. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

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