AN ACT REQUIRING THE HATE CRIMES INVESTIGATIVE UNIT TO RESPOND TO AND INVESTIGATE INSTANCES OF TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.

SB 496 requires the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit to investigate instances of transnational repression targeting residents of the state. Transnational repression refers to actions by foreign governments or entities that harass, threaten, or intimidate residents abroad (e.g., through surveillance, intimidation, or coercion). The bill mandates the unit to respond to and investigate these cases as part of its existing mandate. This directly affects state residents who face such cross-border harassment by foreign actors.