Amendment would keep local hate crime files in Oklahoma
From the Oklahoman

A state law enforcement agency would not be required to share
investigative files with federal agencies under changes proposed to the
state’s hate crime bill.
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In an amendment presented on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, Sen.
Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City, gutted a bill that had been filed to
create a task force to study the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities
Association, and inserted language to make changes to the state’s hate
crime statutes.

Under the new provisions of Senate Bill 1965, reports that were
collected during investigations of possible hate crime that did not end
in a conviction would be destroyed or kept by the Oklahoma State Bureau
of Investigation.

Russell said the bill is meant to prevent the federal law enforcement
officials from taking over a case and applying different standards when
local law enforcement has already investigated a case.

Only a few senators questioned Russell about the contents of his
proposed amendment.

The measure passed 39-6 and now heads to the House for consideration.

Russell said his bill is meant to protect speech of all kinds.

"We just don’t want the pendulum to swing too far the other way,” he
said. "This protects people to do or say whatever they want, as long as
it complies with local ordinances.”

Russell said hate crimes should be prosecuted by local officials and not
the federal government.

He said the language is still being studied, but does not prevent local
law enforcement from requesting help.

Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, said the measure could make it difficult for
district attorneys to comply.

"This is putting district attorneys in a position to break the law,”
Sparks said. "They could be guilty of obstruction of justice if the
federal government requests evidence and they don’t turn it over. This
language has all sorts of ramifications.”

Read mo
http://www.newsok.com/amendment-woul...#ixzz0huUHfFos


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