Bill Text: MI HB4556 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Civil rights: sexual orientation discrimination; definition of ethnic intimidation; expand to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Amends sec. 147b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.147b).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-24 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 03/23/2021 [HB4556 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HB4556-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 4556
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled
"The Michigan penal code,"
by amending section 147b (MCL 750.147b), as added by 1988 PA 371.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 147b. (1) A person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin, does any of the following:
(a) Causes physical contact with another person.
(b) Damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person.
(c) Threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision (a) or (b), if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in subdivision (a) or (b) will occur.
(2) Ethnic intimidation is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(3) Regardless of the existence or outcome of any criminal prosecution, a person who suffers injury to his or her person or damage to his or her property as a result of ethnic intimidation may bring a civil cause of action against the person who commits the offense to secure an injunction, actual damages, including damages for emotional distress, or other appropriate relief. A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action brought pursuant to under this section may recover both of the following:
(a) Damages in the amount of 3 times the actual damages described in this subsection or $2,000.00, whichever is greater.
(b) Reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.
