I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 70 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 6, 2009 Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for displaying nooses in public with intent to harass or intimidate a person because of that person’s race, color, religion, or national origin.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Noose Hate Crime Act of 2009.

2.

Displaying nooses in public with intent to harass or intimidate

(a)

In general

Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

249.

Displaying nooses in public with intent to intimidate

Whoever, with intent to harass or intimidate any person because of that person’s race, color, religion, or national origin, displays a noose in public shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 249. Displaying nooses in public with intent to intimidate..