S-3525.1
SENATE BILL 5830
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Senators Fortunato and Holy
Prefiled 12/04/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
AN ACT Relating to clarifying hate crimes to include political affiliation; amending RCW 9A.36.078 and 9A.36.080 ; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 9A.36.078 and 2019 c 271 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature finds that crimes and threats against persons because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disabilities are serious and increasing. The legislature also finds that crimes and threats are often directed against interracial couples and their children or couples of mixed religions, colors, ancestries, or national origins because of bias and bigotry against the race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin of one person in the couple or family. The legislature finds that the state interest in preventing crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias goes beyond the state interest in preventing other felonies or misdemeanors such as criminal trespass, malicious mischief, assault, or other crimes that are not motivated by hatred, bigotry, and bias, and that prosecution of those other crimes inadequately protects citizens from crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias. Therefore, the legislature finds that protection of those citizens from threats of harm due to bias and bigotry is a compelling state interest.