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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Matthew Shepard Act
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A quick definition of Matthew Shepard Act:
Matthew Shepard Act: This is a law that helps protect people from being hurt or harmed because of who they are. It is named after a young man named Matthew Shepard who was hurt and killed because he was gay. The law makes it a crime to hurt someone because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other things that make them who they are. It helps make sure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
A more thorough explanation:
The Matthew Shepard Act is also known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This law was passed in 2009 to protect people from hate crimes based on their race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
For example, if someone is attacked or threatened because they are gay, this law can be used to prosecute the person who committed the crime. The law also provides funding for training law enforcement officials to better identify and respond to hate crimes.
The Matthew Shepard Act is important because it helps to ensure that everyone is protected from hate crimes, regardless of their background or identity. It sends a message that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated in our society.
Matter of Record | Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act