Reno Urges U.S. Expand Hate Laws

Atty. Gen. Janet Reno urged Congress to expand federal hate crime laws to include offenses based on sexual orientation, saying that the killing of gay Wyoming student Matthew Shepard shows the government must take a stronger stand. Reno said such legislation is needed to address “situations where the state cannot or will not take action.” Existing federal law applies only to crimes motivated by race, color, religion or national origin. The proposed legislation would expand the crimes to cover those based on gender, disability or sexual orientation, and makes federal prosecution easier.