Hochul expands hate crime list in NY state
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has expanded the list of charges eligible to be prosecuted as hate crimes.
She also announced grant funding to strengthen safety and security measures at nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.
There are only 66 offenses that can be charged as hate crimes, but that would be increased to 97 to include things like gang assault, first-degree rape, criminal possession of a weapon, and sex trafficking.
Hochul says there was a 90% spike in hate crimes between 2020 and 2022.