Members of the task force serve in an advisory capacity and assist the state in developing policies for preventing and responding to hate crimes. The task force works with law enforcement agencies, school districts, and state and municipal officials to identify ways to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes, while ensuring that individuals and communities targeted by these crimes receive support. It also provides technical assistance to school districts interested in incorporating hate crime education into their curriculum.
“Steven has an extensive background of four decades of service working in law enforcement, so he understands the important role police officers play in investigating hate crimes and protecting the public,” said Representative Jones. “His expertise in this area will serve him well as he works with his fellow task force members to strengthen the state’s response to hate crimes and support for victims.”
“After four decades in law enforcement, I know how important it is that every person in every community feels safe and protected,” said Representative Xiarhos. “Hate crimes not only harm individuals, they strike at the very heart of our communities. I am honored to serve on this task force and look forward to working with law enforcement, educators, and community leaders to prevent these crimes, support victims, and ensure that hate has no place in Massachusetts. It is especially meaningful to serve alongside Gina Kwon, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation, whose leadership and commitment to strengthening our communities will help guide this important work.”
According to a state report released in December 2025, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) received 467 reports of hate crime incidents in 2024 from 82 municipal police departments, 13 campus police organizations, and the State Police. Although the total number of reported incidents was down from the 557 hate crimes reported in 2023, the 147 reported instances of anti-Jewish hate crimes were the highest in at least two decades, representing an almost 24% increase over the previous year.
The task force was initially created under the administration of William Weld and Paul Cellucci in 1991 as the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes and was later formalized under Executive Order 401, issued by Governor Cellucci on December 5, 1997. Former Governor Charlie Baker reconstituted the task force through Executive Order 578 on November 6, 2017, and in 2021 it was formally established in statute by the Massachusetts Legislature as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget.
The task force, which is currently co-chaired by EOPSS Secretary Gina Kwon and Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation, includes representatives of victim assistance agencies, advocates for communities affected by hate crimes, district attorneys’ offices, and state, local, and university police departments, as well as legislators, including the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion. The task force is required to meet at least four times a year and is responsible for filing an annual report by December 31 containing its recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to combat hate crimes.
Representative Xiarhos currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management and the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. He is also a member of the House and Joint Committees on Ways and Means, as well as the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
