, intimidation; arson; and destruction, damage or vandalism of property… (3) Nothing in this section creates a cause of action or a right to bring an action, including an action based on discrimination due to sexual orientation. As used in this section, the term “sexual orientation” means consensual homosexuality or heterosexuality. This subsection does not limit any existing cause of action or right to bring action, including under the Administrative Procedure Act or the All Writs Act. (4) Data acquired under this section shall be used only for research or statistical purposes and may not contain any information that may reveal the identity of an individual victim of crime. (5) The Attorney General shall publish an annual summary of the data acquired under this section. (c) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section throughout fiscal year 1994. (United States Congress 1990) Hate crime activists were happy with the outcome of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 (HCSA) even though the law gave no legal action for hate crimes, because of several factors. The law provides a legal mechanism through which data necessary to determine effective policy can be gathered. The newly instated police involvement can help law enforcement officials measure trends and create prevention strategies, etc. The ultimate goal of the activists is not precise reporting of hate crimes but development of a governmental response to hate crime. Reports from the research mandated by this law constitute the federal government’s most visible effort to recognize and define hate crimes (Jenness 38). Congress reauthorized the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 in 1996. In 1994, the Violent Criminal Control and Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, or “Matthew’s Law” named for Matthew Shepard, was introduced into Congress. Again, the hate crime leg...
