2009 House Bill 4835: Create “bias-motivated” crime

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Introduced by Rep. Woodrow Stanley (D) on April 28, 2009, to authorize sentencing guidelines for the “bias-motivated” criminal offense proposed by House Bill 4836.
- Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on April 28, 2009.
  - Reported in the House on May 13, 2009, without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Passed 66 to 43 in the House on May 20, 2009.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Received in the Senate on May 21, 2009.
- Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 21, 2009.

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1) Re: 2009 House Bill 4835 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) by DJStuCrew on May 21, 2009

Clearly unconstitutional. First: it creates different penalties for crimes against different groups. This violates equal protection. Second, it seems to require the ability to read minds. I haven't heard of anyone leaving a note at a lynching or drive-by. While bigotry is ignorant, it's not illegal. It is the act, not the screwed-up thinking behind it. We're speaking here about "thought crimes." In the end, does it matter what the motivation for a crime was?

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2) Re: 2009 House Bill 4835 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) by Admin003 on May 21, 2009

Rep. Schuitmaker, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill,

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I agree with the intent of this bill that we should not be a society that tolerates hate of any kind. This is a noble principle. But as I have stated in the past - the problem with these bills is it provides different victims with greater rights and for this reason it is unfair. A crime is a crime and our justice system should be fair. Why treat victims unfairly? My substitute will allow us to find that common ground.”

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3) 2009 House Bill 4835 (Create “bias-motivated” crime ) by admin on January 1, 2001
Introduced in the House on April 28, 2009

The vote was 66 in favor, 43 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 250 at House Journal 0)

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