Highlights of Gang-Related Legislation
Spring 2011
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Of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), all but Vermont have enacted some form of legislation relating to gangs or gang-related activity.
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22 states have passed gang prevention laws.
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14 states and DC have enacted anti-carjacking statutes.
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More than half the states have laws that provide for enhanced penalties for gang-related criminal acts.
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The public nuisance laws of 23 states and DC count gang activity among the factors in determining a nuisance. Indiana has defined real estate/dwellings as “psychologically affected property” if they are the locations of criminal gang activity.
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41 states and DC have legislation that defines “gang.”
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More than half of the states’ legislatures have laws against graffiti.
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24 states define “gang crime/activity.”
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23 states have legislation on gangs and schools.
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20 percent of the states have enacted laws that deal with gang-related databases.

