CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — People who commit crimes against others because of their gender identity, appearance or expression would be subject to enhanced penalties under a bill passed by the Nevada Senate.
Senators approved SB139 on a 20-1 vote Thursday. It now goes the Assembly.
A similar bill that sought to designate crimes against transgender people as hate crimes died in the Senate two years ago.
Democratic Sen. Pat Spearman of North Las Vegas, a gay pastor, was the primary sponsor of SB139.
In a speech on the Senate floor, she noted discrimination she and others have suffered because of sexual orientation.
She proclaimed, "Today we make those wrongs right."
The bill adds "gender identity or expression" to Nevada's hate crime statute, which carries possible enhanced penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
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