The Democrat-controlled Michigan House of Representatives has passed a bill known as the “Michigan Hate Crime Act,” also referred to as HB 4474. Under the proposed legislation, it would be illegal for any individual to make another person feel “terrorized, frightened, or threatened.” The bill aims to expand and replace the state’s current Ethnic Intimidation Law, which has been in effect since 1988.
If enacted, the bill would protect classes such as “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” against intimidation. Offenders would be charged with a felony and face up to five years in prison, along with a $10,000 fine.
The bill passed in the state House on June 20, with Democrats and three Republicans (Graham Filler, Thomas Kuhn, and Mark Tisdel) supporting it, resulting in a near party-line vote of 59-50. One Republican member was absent, and the rest of the Republican caucus voted against it.
Rep. Noah Arbit, the main sponsor of the bill, stated that the aim is to ensure no one in Michigan feels unsafe because of their identity or community. However, Rep. Angela Rigas believes that the bill targets conservatives who speak out against radical gender ideology. Rigas expressed concerns about the implications of adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, particularly regarding the court system and potential weaponization against conservatives.
Michigan’s crackdown on “hate speech” is more about policing thoughts than addressing actual crime. The bill now awaits consideration in the Michigan state Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. If passed, it will proceed to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law. The state’s Democratic trifecta, established after the 2022 midterm elections, played a role in the passage of the bill.