State Rep. Dave Agema is already working with his Senate counterparts to stop House legislation approved last week that will implement harsher penalties for crimes against some minority groups but not others.

Agema was among 18 lawmakers voting against House Bills 6340-41, measures that create a bias-motivated crime category. The special category would include victims who were targeted because of disability, gender, national ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, military veteran status or because of association with another person in the defined category.

“These bills are completely unnecessary and are playing a word game around the controversy of hate crime legislation by using the phrase ‘bias-motivated’,” said Agema, R-Grandville. “If this law is necessary, then we are failing to defend all people’s rights and be tough on crime in general.

“This bill prioritizes some groups over others. However, the Constitution states that all people should be treated equally. Any crime against any person should be considered a hate crime, not only those done against specified groups.”

HB 6340 defines a bias-motivated crime as a felony. The level of increased penalty is determined based on a crime’s legal classification. HB 6341 enacts the bias-motivated crime classification and sets definitions.

The legislation was transmitted to the Senate where it will be reviewed by committee.

Agema said he is contacting senators to argue against the need for the package should the issue come up in the lame duck session of the Legislature, and welcomes comments from the public.

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