Prohibits using a victim's gender identity or expression (including transgender status) as a defense, excuse, or mitigating factor in criminal cases, so perpetrators of violence against transgender people cannot reduce their legal responsibility based on panic over gender identity.
A nonviolent sexual advance or the perception or belief, even if inaccurate, of the sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity of an individual may not be used as a defense to a criminal offense, to excuse or to justify the conduct of an individual who commits a criminal offense, or to mitigate the severity of a criminal offense during sentencing.
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill bans gay and transgender panic defenses in criminal proceedings, which expands legal recognition and protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming people by preventing their gender identity or expression from being used to justify or mitigate violence against them. It also includes a statutory definition of gender identity that aligns with transgender recognition.