# KRS § 532.031: 532.031 Hate crimes -- Finding -- Effect -- Definitions > Kentucky · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.031 ## Section - **Citation:** KRS § 532.031 - **Heading:** 532.031 Hate crimes -- Finding -- Effect -- Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** KY Code / Title L / Chapter 532 / Section 532.031 ## Text 532.031 Hate crimes -- Finding -- Effect -- Definitions. (1) A person may be found by the sentencing judge to have committed an offense specified below as a result of a hate crime if the person intentionally because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals or because of a person's actual or perceived employment as a state, city, county, or federal peace officer, member of an organized fire department, or emergency medical services personnel, violates a provision of any one (1) of the following: (a) KRS 508.010, 508.020, 508.025, or 508.030; (b) KRS 508.050 or 508.060; (c) KRS 508.100 or 508.110; (d) KRS 509.020; (e) KRS 510.040, 510.050, 510.060, 510.070, 510.080, 510.090, 510.100, or 510.110; (f) KRS 512.020, 512.050, or 512.060; (g) KRS 513.020, 513.030, or 513.040; or (h) KRS 525.020, 525.050, 525.060, 525.070, or 525.080. (2) At sentencing, the sentencing judge shall determine if, by a preponderance of the evidence presented at the trial, a hate crime was a primary factor in the commission of the crime by the defendant. If so, the judge shall make a written finding of fact and enter that in the court record and in the judgment rendered against the defendant. (3) The finding that a hate crime was a primary factor in the commission of the crime by the defendant may be utilized by the sentencing judge as the sole factor for denial of probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, or other form of nonimposition of a sentence of incarceration. (4) The finding by the sentencing judge that a hate crime was a primary factor in the commission of the crime by the defendant may be utilized by the Parole Board in delaying or denying parole to a defendant. (5) As used in this section: (a) "Emergency medical services personnel" has the same meaning as in KRS 311A.010; and (b) "Member of an organized fire department, or emergency medical services personnel" includes volunteers, if the violation occurs while the volunteer is performing duties with an organized fire department or as emergency medical services personnel. ## Nearby sections - [KRS § 532.005 532.005 Chapters 532, 533 and 534 to apply to crimes outside provisions of the Penal Code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.005.md) - [KRS § 532.007 532.007 Commonwealth's sentencing policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.007.md) - [KRS § 532.010 532.010 Classification of offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.010.md) - [KRS § 532.020 532.020 Designation of offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.020.md) - [KRS § 532.025 532.025 Presentence hearings -- Use of juvenile court records -- Aggravating or mitigating circumstances -- Instructions to jury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.025.md) - [KRS § 532.029 532.029 Persistent violent felony offender sentencing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.029.md) - [KRS § 532.030 532.030 Authorized dispositions -- Generally -- Instructions by judge](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.030.md) - [KRS § 532.031 532.031 Hate crimes -- Finding -- Effect -- Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.031.md) - [KRS § 532.032 532.032 Restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.032.md) - [KRS § 532.033 532.033 Order of restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.033.md) - [KRS § 532.034 532.034 Restitution for financial loss resulting from theft of identity or trafficking in stolen identities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.034.md) - [KRS § 532.036 532.036 Financial support of child or dependent if death or disability is caused by driving under the influence or murder of a first responder -- Amount -- Clerk as trustee -- Incarcerated defendant -- Payments to continue until arrearage is paid -- Effect of civil action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.036.md) - [KRS § 532.040 532.040 Probation and conditional discharge](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.040.md) - [KRS § 532.043 532.043 Requirement of postincarceration supervision for certain felonies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.043.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C532_S532.031. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.