APA Public Interest Policy Office: May 26, 2006

March 9, 2006

The Honorable Arlen Specter, Senator
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Specter:

On behalf of the 150,000 members and affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am writing to urge you to support the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2005 (S.1145) when it is offered as an amendment to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (S.1086) on the Senate floor. 

Currently, hate crimes can only be prosecuted at the federal level when motivated by bias based on race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity and when the victim is engaged in a federally protected activity (e.g., voting). This legislation would expand current law to recognize crimes motivated by a person’s gender, sexual orientation, or disability. The bill would also enable the federal government to address those cases that other jurisdictions are either unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute, while retaining primary responsibility for hate crime prosecution at the state and local level. The federal government needs to have jurisdiction over such crimes to further protect our citizens at increased risk for such victimization.

APA members are actively engaged in research and practice initiatives related to hate crimes. Psychological research has demonstrated deleterious mental health outcomes (e.g., depression and anxiety, including post-traumatic stress disorder) for victims of hate crimes. APA stands ready as a resource to you regarding empirically-based research on hate crimes and their outcomes in your deliberations concerning this legislation.

We urge you to vote to include the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S.1145) as an amendment to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (S.1086) on the Senate floor. For further information, please contact Karen Chen in our Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6097.

Sincerely,

Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Public Interest Directorate 

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