HR 221 - Noose Hate Crime Act of 2011

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for displaying nooses in public with intent to harass or intimidate a person because of that person's race, color, religion, or national origin.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 7, 2011

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Noose Hate Crime Act of 2011'.

SEC. 2. DISPLAYING NOOSES IN PUBLIC WITH INTENT TO HARASS OR INTIMIDATE.

(a) In General- Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 250. Displaying nooses in public with intent to intimidate

`Whoever, with intent to harass or intimidate any person because of that person's race, color, religion, or national origin, displays a noose in public shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`250. Displaying nooses in public with intent to intimidate.'.

END