Virginia House Bill HJR88

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; VSCC to study hate crimes and bias-motivated acts toward.

Impact

The bill emphasizes the need for a comprehensive assessment of hate crimes, particularly against AAPI communities, as a means to understand the effect of sociopolitical changes and public health crises on these demographics. By implicating state agencies to assist in the study, it aims to strengthen the response of law enforcement and local resources dealing with issues of public safety for vulnerable populations.

Summary

HJR88 directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the increase in hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents directed toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the Commonwealth. This legislation highlights the significant rise in such incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with evidence showing an alarming increase in violence, harassment, and property damage disproportionately affecting AAPI individuals. The intent of the resolution is to assess the current landscape of hate crimes in the state and to provide appropriate resources for prevention and response mechanisms.

Contention

HJR88 underscores the importance of monitoring and combating the rise of hate crimes, which can exacerbate community fear and tension. Notably, there may be contention surrounding the allocation of state resources to such a study, as different stakeholders may have differing views on the prioritization of hate crime research compared to broader crime-related studies. Additionally, discussions may arise about the sufficiency of existing laws and their enforcement to protect AAPI individuals from violence and discrimination.