Massachusetts Hate Crimes Law
Gender identity protected? No
Massachusetts hate crime law does not explicitly address gender identity-motivated violence. Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 265, § 39 (2002).
Sexual orientation protected? Yes
Massachusetts hate crimes law explicitly addresses violence based on sexual orientation. Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 265, § 39 (2002). The crime report unit must also collect, summarize and report hate crime data to the attorney general, the joint committees on public safety, criminal justice and the judiciary, and the state Senate and House committees on ways and means. The reports are available on public record. Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 22C, §§ 32-35 (2002).
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Last Updated: 3/9/2007