Penal Code section 422.55

For purposes of this title, and for purposes of all other state law unless an explicit provision of law or the context clearly requires a different meaning, the following shall apply:

(a)

“Hate crime” means a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim:

(1)

Disability.

(2)

Gender.

(3)

Nationality.

(4)

Race or ethnicity.

(5)

Religion.

(6)

Sexual orientation.

(7)

Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

(b)

“Hate crime” includes, but is not limited to, a violation of Section 422.6.

Source: Section 422.55, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=422.­55.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2005; accessed Jul. 7, 2025).

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Verified:
Jul. 7, 2025

§ 422.55's source at ca​.gov