Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill Thursday that would expand the state’s definition of hate crime to include crimes that target police officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers.
A hate crime is usually considered so if the victim is targeted because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other identity-based characteristics—but Louisiana is the first state to add the victim’s profession to the list, according to CNN.
Under the law, being convicted of a hate crime in Louisiana adds extra penalties to the sentence, which could be up to five more years in prison for felonies or up to another six months in prison for misdemeanors.
The bill was drafted after a Texas sheriff’s deputy was abused, shot and killed while in uniform in August, according to the network.
“Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do and the risks they take to ensure our safety,” Edwards said Thursday. “They deserve every protection that we can give them.”
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Caitlin Clark Is TIME's 2024 Athlete of the Year
- Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com