An Act to amend the definition of hate crime

SD 752 amends Massachusetts hate crime law (Section 39 of Chapter 265) to clarify that hate crimes must target "another person" based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. The bill specifically changes the language to ensure restitution ordered for property damage caused by hate crimes must be used to repair the actual damage, not diverted elsewhere. This directly affects victims of hate-motivated property damage, guaranteeing restitution funds are applied to repair their property. The changes focus on precise legal wording to strengthen enforcement of restitution requirements under existing hate crime statutes.