LGBT Rights in Nevada - Hate Crime Statutes

Hate Crime Statutes

Nevada law provides additional penalties for the commission of crime because of certain actual or perceived characteristics of victim. In 2001, Nevada amended its hate crime laws to included sexual orientation, without addressing gender identity or expression. In 2011, Senator David Parks introduced S.B. 180 to add "gender identity or expression" to Nevada's hate crime laws. One Democrat, John Lee, voted with the Republicans and the bill failed. In the 2013, S.B. 139, which adds "gender identity or expression" to Nevada's hate crime law, was introduced by a bipartisan group and passed the Senate on a vote of 20-1. Senator Hardy, the only vote against the legislation, later said that he should have voted in favor of S.B. 139 after talking with Senator Pat Spearman, the legislature's first out person of color, a pastor and military veteran. The legislation passed the Assembly on a vote of 30-11 on May 14. Governor Brian Sandoval signed the legislation on May 21, 2013. The new law SB139 takes effect on October 1, 2013.