This week, Louisiana became the first state to make attacks on law enforcement hate crimes. According to reports, Gov. John Bel Edwards included police officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers in the bill.
A hate crime is classified if the attack occurred due to the victim’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or other identity-based characteristics. The bill, which is being dubbed the “Blue Lives Matter” bill is the first to add someone’s profession under the umbrella of a hate crime.
The motivation for the bill came after a Texas deputy sheriff was abused, shot and killed while in uniform last August.
“Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do, and the risks they take to ensure our safety,” Edwards said. “They deserve every protection that we can give them.”
Under the new Louisiana law, being convicted of a hate crime adds up to five years to your sentence if its a felony, and six months if its a misdemeanor.