Lawmakers in the state of Michigan are advancing a bill that would fine and imprison those who “intimidate” others and make them “feel” threatened.

The Michigan Hate Crime Act, which was passed by the Michigan House last week, would implement fines and prison sentences for anyone who “intimidates another individual,” an action defined by the bill as “a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual” that would cause them to “feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened.”

Penalties against those deemed in violation of the bill would amount to $5,000 in fines and two years in prison. Those who commit the violations against minors, in concert with multiple people, or while in possession of a firearm could face $10,000 in fines and five years in prison.

Michigan State Rep. Noah Arbit, a Democrat, noted in a statement that the law would apply to categories such as “sexual orientation,” as well as “gender identity and expression.”

“No one in Michigan should ever be made to feel unsafe because of who they are, or what community they belong to. As a proud Jew and gay man, this fight is personal to me. I ran for office to take on rising hate and extremism; today, after months of work, I am proud to introduce the Michigan Hate Crime Act,” he said. “This legislation will provide improved tools to respond, pursue justice and accountability, and create opportunities to reduce hate violence in Michigan.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, is expected to endorse the bill should the Michigan Senate advance the legislation. Democrats hold slim majorities in both chambers.

Critics of regulations against so-called hate speech have noted that the category inevitably infringes on liberties enumerated in the First Amendment. Brenden Boudreau, the national political director of Young Americans for Liberty, said in comments to The Sentinel that Democrats are “attempting to use the force of government to silence voices” opposed to their agenda.

“Threatening people who disagree with them with a felony and $10,000 fine will have a chilling effect on free speech,” he remarked. “I would expect a Court challenge to soon follow if Democrats charge ahead with passing this into law."

Boudreau, a native of Michigan, added that Republican lawmakers “have become a doormat” with respect to the aggressive policy agenda of their Democratic colleagues. “It's a sad state of affairs for freedom-loving, God-fearing Michiganders,” he added.

The Michigan Hate Crime Act claims that the bill would not affect “constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose.”

The advancement of the legislation comes as activists demonstrate a willingness to leverage the legal system as a means to harass religious citizens. Jack Phillips, the Christian baker who owns Masterpiece Cakeshop and refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, was asked five years ago by an activist to make a custom pink and blue transgender-themed cake. The activist filed a federal lawsuit against the business owner after he refused, a case which continues to move through the court system.