AB 2282 equalizes penalties and strengthens restrictions on the use of hate symbols

AB 1664 extends and strengthens the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program to protect at-risk religious and community-based nonprofits

SACRAMENTO – Amid an increase in hate-fueled violence across the country, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed legislation to equalize and strengthen penalties for using hate symbols and bolster security for targeted religious and community-based nonprofits.

AB 2282 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) brings parity to penalties for burning crosses and using swastikas and nooses. Currently, using a noose as a hate symbol carries the lightest penalty of the three while cross burning is the most highly penalized. Under AB 2282, individuals who use any of the three symbols of hate will be subject to the strongest of these criminal penalties.

Watch a video message from Governor Newsom on AB 2282.

“At a time when hate pervades the public discourse and violent extremism threatens our communities, it’s critical that we take a clear, strong stand against bigotry in all its forms,” said Governor Newsom. “California will not tolerate violence terrorizing any of our communities, and this measure updates state law to punish the use of universally recognized symbols of hate equally and to the fullest extent of the law. California will continue to lead the fight to stamp out hate and defend those under attack for who they are, how they identify or what they...

Read Full Story: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/09/18/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-crack-...