Action Alert: Thank Your Elected Officials For Supporting Needed Changes to Washington's Hate Crime Law

Earlier this week, Governor Gregoire signed SB 6398 into law. This bill makes a crucial change to the state's malicious harassment statute (otherwise known as Washington's hate crime statute) by specifying what threats can be prosecuted under the law.

Previous judges and prosecutors interpreted threat to mean both immediate and future threats. A court of appeals decision overturned this long-standing practice, noting that only future threats are specified by the statute.

The bill Governor Gregoire responds to this court of appeals decision by adding future threats to the definition of the malicious harassment statute. The legislation is a result of partnership between the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Anti-Defamation League, and King County Prosecutor's Office.

Please take a moment to thank Governor Gregoire, your state representatives and your state senator for supporting this vital change.