Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act of 2026

Overview

HR 9066, the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act of 2026, introduced May 29, 2026 by Ms. Meng, would authorize a new federal grant program to support community-based efforts aimed at preventing and addressing hate crimes. The bill focuses on non-carceral approaches, victim support, education, and community empowerment, and sets up a framework for grant administration and eligibility. It also includes a separate, more technical provision to modify grant participation requirements for certain criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Purpose and Intent

• Create a federal grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund community-based organizations (CBOs) that work in communities targeted by hate crimes.
• Promote non-carceral responses to hate crimes, including restorative-style programs and community education, with an emphasis on culturally informed and linguistically appropriate services.
• Improve data collection and public reporting on hate crimes and increase support for victims and affected families.
• Enhance safety and prevention through community involvement, including education, outreach, and intervention training.

Key Provisions

1. HATE CRIME PREVENTION GRANT (Section 2)
2. Establishment: The Attorney General shall establish a hate crime prevention grant program upon enactment, subject to appropriations.
3. Applicant relationship: Grants awarded only to eligible community-based organizations (CBOs) as defined in the bill.
4. Authorized uses of funds (non-exclusive list):
   • Community-based conflict resolution, empowerment, and education.
   • Development and implementation of non-carceral sentencing and juvenile hate crime diversion programs.
   • Culturally informed and linguistically appropriate public education campaigns on data collection and public reporting of hate crimes.
   • Educational classes and community service for defendants convicted of hate crimes, directly related to the harmed community.
   • Employment of safety ambassadors to escort vulnerable community members in public spaces.
   • Culturally informed and linguistically accessible support for victims or surviving families, including mental health services.
   • Upstander, intervenor, and de-escalation trainings in multiple languages.
   • Other community-based strategies appropriate for targeted communities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, and other vulnerable groups.
5. Definition: A “community-based organization” is a nonprofit (public or private) that is embedded in or led by the targeted community and provides education, public health, social services, and victim assistance.

6. Authorization of appropriations: $30,000,000 per fiscal year for 2027 through 2031.

7. REMOVAL OF GRANT AMOUNT LIMIT FOR CERTAIN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS (Section 3)

8. The bill amends Section 4704(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to improve grant participation for certain criminal investigations and prosecutions.

9. Specifically, it removes a stated grant amount limit (by striking paragraph (5)) and adjusts the numbering of remaining paragraphs accordingly. This is a technical adjustment intended to modify eligibility or participation terms related to those grants.

Who/What Is Affected

• Eligible entities: Public or private nonprofit CBOs that are embedded in or led by the targeted communities and that provide educational, public health, social services, and victim-support functions.
• Targeted communities: Individuals and groups affected by hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, and related vulnerable groups.
• Beneficiaries: Victims and surviving families of hate crimes, community members, and defendants participating in diversion or educational programs (where applicable).

Timelines and Financials

• Effective date: On enactment of the Act (subject to appropriations).
• Funding horizon: Authorized appropriations of $30 million annually from FY 2027 through FY 2031.
• Reporting/implementation: The Attorney General would establish the grant program and oversee applications; specifics would be determined by the Attorney General’s guidelines and requirements.

Potential Impacts

• Encourages evidence-based, community-driven responses to hate crimes that emphasize prevention, healing, and non-carceral outcomes.
• Expands access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services for victims and communities.
• Aims to improve hate crime reporting, data collection, and transparency at the community level.
• Potentially reduces involvement with the criminal justice system by providing diversion and education-based alternatives.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or draft a one-page briefing for policymakers or the public.