The Washington, D.C., Council is considering legislation that would bar people charged with violent offenses from claiming they acted in self-defense after learning the victim was gay or transgender.
WTOP-FM reports Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced the “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019” this week, saying it’s unacceptable for “bigots to claim panic as a defense.”
The bill would prohibit defendants from claiming they acted in the “heat of passion” or suffered reduced mental capacity upon learning about a person’s actual or perceived sexuality or gender identity.
Mendelson was involved in helping the District legalize same-sex marriage.
More must-read stories from Fortune:
—145 CEOs call on Senate to support ‘common-sense gun laws’
—These are the 2020 senate races to watch
—Black women voters are key to the 2020 presidential race. Here’s who they support
—The U.K. government’s worst case Brexit scenario looks a lot like ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
—Can Andrew Yang win in 2020? Inside his unorthodox campaign
Get up to speed on your morning commute with Fortune’s CEO Daily newsletter.
