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==History==
==History==
The [[FBI]] has investigated hate crimes since World War I. However, the federal government stepped up its involvement after the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Both state and federal laws covered many hate crimes such as assault, menacing, and even manslaughter. Traditionally, FBI investigations of hate crimes were limited to crimes in which the perpetrators acted based on a bias against the victim’s race, color, religion, or national origin. In addition, FBI investigations were restricted to those wherein the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity.
The [[FBI]] has investigated hate crimes since World War I. However, the federal government stepped up its involvement after the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Both state and federal laws covered many hate crimes such as assault, menacing, and even manslaughter. Traditionally, FBI investigations of hate crimes were limited to crimes in which the perpetrators acted based on a bias against the victim's race, color, religion, or national origin. In addition, FBI investigations were restricted to those wherein the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity.
Gradually, both state and federal hate crime statutes were enacted to impose higher penalties for hate crimes on defined classes than the just the underlying violation. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, authorized the FBI to investigate hate crimes without regard to federal activity. The 2009 law also expanded the scope of hate crimes to include those based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or gender.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/hate-crimes|title=Hate Crimes|accessdate=January 9, 2017}}</ref>
Gradually, both state and federal hate crime statutes were enacted to impose higher penalties for hate crimes on defined classes than the just the underlying violation. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, authorized the FBI to investigate hate crimes without regard to federal activity. The 2009 law also expanded the scope of hate crimes to include those based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or gender.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/hate-crimes|title=Hate Crimes|accessdate=January 9, 2017}}</ref>