Hate crimes.

Existing law defines a "hate crime" as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including, among other things, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Subject to adequate funding, existing law requires the Attorney General to direct local law enforcement agencies to report to the Department of Justice specified information relative to hate crimes, as prescribed. This bill would require every local law enforcement agency to forward a summary of any hate crime reported within its jurisdiction to the human relations commission within that jurisdiction, if such an entity exists, as specified. By creating additional reporting requirements for local law enforcement agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.