Senator HUTTO proposes the following amendment (AM HATE CRIMES UNIT):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 59, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, page 419, after line 5, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:

/ (AG: Hate Crimes Unit) (A) From the funds appropriated, the Office of the Attorney General shall establish a Hate Crimes Unit. For the purposes of this provision, a "hate crime" means an offense committed against a victim who was intentionally selected because of the person's belief or perception regarding the victim's race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, political opinion, or the exercise of a victim's political rights and privileges, whether or not the perception is correct.

(B) This unit shall create and disseminate outreach materials on the topic of hate crimes so law enforcement agencies can better engage with communities; create and make available training materials for law enforcement agencies on how best to identify and respond to crimes that would meet the definition of a hate crime in this provision; be tasked with investigating offenses that meet the definition of a "hate crime"; analyze reported hate crimes in various regions in South Carolina; and assist law enforcement agencies in the investigation of hate crimes.

(C) The department, in conjunction with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, sheriffs, and solicitors, shall maintain a database of reported hate crimes. /

Amend sections, totals and title to conform.