(VOVWORLD) - The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that aims to stem a spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill passed the Senate last month.
The bill will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
The Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act directs the Justice Department to expedite review of hate crimes related to the pandemic, open a hotline, and provide self-defense training. The measure gives law enforcement more resources to track incidents, and provides guidance to state agencies and community groups on reducing discriminatory acts tied to COVID-19.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US in March last year, 6,000 hate crimes were committed against Americans of Asian descent, almost all of them women.