The new Michigan hate crime bill makes it a crime to make someone “feel terrified, frightened or threatened.”

The Michigan Hate Crime Act (HB 4474) passed the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday. It now moves to the Michigan Senate. The law will replace the Ethnic Intimidation Act, and it will expand the protections for people.

In the new bill, “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” would be included as protected classes.

The definition of a “hate crime” would be expanded to include intimidation, force, threats, bodily harm or damage to property.

The act defines intimidation to be “repeated, or continuing harassment” of another person that makes them “feel terrorized or threatened”. It does not include “constitutionally-protected activity or conduct which serves a legitim purpose.”

According to The Detroit News, Democratic Michigan Rep. Noah Arbit who led the legislative package said that the bills will transform Michigan from being a “national lagger” to a leader in the fight against hate crimes. Arbit’s experience as a homosexual Jewish man motivated him to support the legislation.

Arbit stated on the House Floor that “no Michigander should feel unsafe or be threatened because of their identity or community.”

If the hate speech law is passed, violators would be guilty of a crime punishable by up five years of prison and a $10,000 fine.