Gradually, crimes motivated by hate have come to be seen as a category of their own.

Would have made crimes motivated by bias a separate offense.

The bill would have increased penalties for those convicted of crimes motivated by bias.

These include crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity, national origin and sexual orientation.

Would have increased the penalties for crimes motivated by bias.

The plot centers around the murders of two young women, the crime apparently motivated by anti-Semitism.

The bill would allow the federal government to prosecute crimes motivated by race, gender and sexual orientation that are now outside its reach.

The law may give separate, extra punishment for crimes motivated by racial hatred and other bias.

"What we understand it to be is a crime motivated by hate bias," Hollingshead said.