The House passed a four-bill package creating the Michigan Hate Crime Act. The proposal overhauls Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Statute from 1998.
Key Points:
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- Expands the basis on which hate crimes can be targeted to include sexual orientation, gender identify and expression, physical or mental disability, ethnicity, and age.
- The bills also update sentencing guidelines.
- Creates the Institutional Desecration Act to prohibit the targeted defacement, destruction, or vandalism of institutions and communal property, such as houses of worship and community centers.
Next Steps:
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- The bills were referred to the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee for consideration.
