Michigan’s House of Representatives has passed a hate speech bill, known as HB 4474, which criminalizes causing someone to feel threatened by words, including the misusing of their pronouns, with the possibility of a hefty fine or even jail time.
The bill introduces hate crime penalties for causing someone to ‘feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened,’ with ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity or expression’ included as protected classes.
Offenders could face up to five years in prison for such a felony offense or a $10,000 fine.
It is part of a continues effort by Democrats in the state to advance a pro-LGBTQ+ agenda in their first months in power.
The proposed legislation aims to replace the existing Ethnic Intimidation Act and extends protection against intimidation.