A coffee chat with State Rep. Cindy Ryu

State Rep. Cindy Ryu emphasized her legislative achievements during a coffee chat at SKOG Haus Coffee in Mountlake Terrace. She sponsored a hate crime law that clarifies jury instructions, enabling prosecutors to charge offenses motivated by bias more effectively. The law now includes motivations that are "in whole or in part" based on characteristics such as race, gender, and religion. Ryu provided examples of past cases where juries struggled to convict offenders due to previous legal interpretations that required bias to be the sole motive.

Additionally, she co-sponsored the Forged Digital Likenesses bill, which criminalizes the distribution of harmful AI-generated deepfakes, addressing concerns over reputational damage. This legislation aims to protect individuals from malicious misinformation and follows instances of such content causing real harm. Ryu's leadership in these areas demonstrates a proactive approach to modern legislative challenges. Her work reflects a broader effort to strengthen community protections against hate and misinformation.