Highlights of Gang-Related Legislation
Spring 2010

• Of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), all but three have enacted some form of legislation relating to gangs (Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming).

• 21 states and DC have passed gang prevention laws.

• 14 states and DC have enacted anti-carjacking statutes.

• More than half the states have laws that provide for enhanced penalties for gang-related criminal acts.

• 21 states’ public nuisance laws 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. By law, this factor must be disclosed in real estate transactions.

• 39 states and DC have legislation that defines “gang.”

• More than half of the states’ legislatures have laws against graffiti.

• 22 states define “gang crime/activity.”

• 22 states have legislation on gangs and schools.

• Nearly 20 percent of the states have enacted laws that deal with gang-related databases.