The bill establishes a Hate Crimes Task Force, which is tasked with advising on issues related to hate crimes, including their prevalence, prevention strategies, and support for victims. The Task Force is composed of various members appointed by the Governor, including individuals with expertise in hate crimes, representatives from victim assistance agencies, advocates for affected communities, and law enforcement officials. The Task Force is required to meet quarterly and submit an annual report detailing its mission, objectives, and recommendations for combating hate crimes.
Additionally, the bill introduces several subcommittees within the Task Force, including a Data Oversight Subcommittee and a Victim Support Subcommittee, aimed at improving data collection on hate crimes and assessing victim support services, respectively. The Legislative Subcommittee is also established to review pending legislation related to hate crimes and make recommendations to the legislature. The Task Force's ongoing efforts include collaboration with various organizations and law enforcement agencies to enhance responses to hate crimes and support for victims, as well as the development of educational resources and best practices for addressing hate crimes in the Commonwealth.