Virginia police would track offenses motivated by anti-Muslim bias

Officials would use the definition to identify and classify bias-motivated offenses under this section. Islamophobia means malicious prejudice or hatred toward Islam or Muslims. It also covers targeting someone because they are perceived to follow Islam, even if they do not. The definition would not create a separate crime or lawsuit, restrict constitutionally protected speech, expression, or belief, or limit other legal rights. Virginia State Police, with input from the Attorney General's Office and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, would add the definition to the state's hate crime database.

A person convicted of simple assault would face at least six months in jail if they intentionally chose the victim because of a listed trait. If an assault and battery causes bodily injury and the victim was intentionally chosen for one of those traits, the offense is a Class 6 felony with at least six months in confinement. The listed traits are race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or ethnic or national origin.