Signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the term "ethnic intimidation" to "hate crime" in the Civil Rights chapter of the Michigan Penal Code.

Highlights:

• Amends the term "ethnic intimidation" to "hate crime" in the Civil Rights chapter of the Michigan Penal Code (Sec. 147b).

• Specifies that an individual shall be guilty of a hate crime for maliciously and intentionally doing any of the following to an individual based in whole or in part on an actual or perceived characteristic (Sec. 147b):

• Uses force or violence against another individual;

• Causes bodily injury to another individual;

• Stalks another individual;

• Damage, destroy, or deface any real or personal property of another individual without the consent of the individual; or

• Makes a true threat to engage in conduct

• Defines “actual or perceived characteristics” in this bill as any of the following, including (Sec. 147b):

• Race or color;

• Religion;

• Sex;

• Sexual orientation;

• Gender identity or expression;

• Physical or mental disability;

• Age;

• Ethnicity;

• National origin; or

• Association or affiliation with an individual or group of individuals in whole or in part based on a characteristic.

• Specifies that individuals who violate this bill and are found guilty to receive the following punishments, including (Sec. 147b):

• For the first violation a felony conviction with a prison term of a maximum of 2 years and a $5,000 fine;

• For the second and subsequent violations a felony conviction with a prison term of a maximum of 5 years and a $10,000 fine.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 147b).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the term "ethnic intimidation" to "hate crime" in the Civil Rights chapter of the Michigan Penal Code.

Highlights:

• Amends the term "ethnic intimidation" to "hate crime" in the Civil Rights chapter of the Michigan Penal Code (Sec. 147b).

• Specifies that an individual shall be guilty of a hate crime for maliciously and intentionally doing any of the following to an individual based in whole or in part on an actual or perceived characteristic (Sec. 147b):

• Uses force or violence against another individual;

• Causes bodily injury to another individual;

• Stalks another individual;

• Damage, destroy, or deface any real or personal property of another individual without the consent of the individual; or

• Makes a true threat to engage in conduct

• Defines “actual or perceived characteristics” in this bill as any of the following, including (Sec. 147b):

• Race or color;

• Religion;

• Sex;

• Sexual orientation;

• Gender identity or expression;

• Physical or mental disability;

• Age;

• Ethnicity;

• National origin; or

• Association or affiliation with an individual or group of individuals in whole or in part based on a characteristic.

• Specifies that individuals who violate this bill and are found guilty to receive the following punishments, including (Sec. 147b):

• For the first violation a felony conviction with a prison term of a maximum of 2 years and a $5,000 fine;

• For the second and subsequent violations a felony conviction with a prison term of a maximum of 5 years and a $10,000 fine.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 147b).

Full Bill Text