Hate Crime Legislation 2017: Kentucky House Passes 'Blue Lives Matter' Bill After Protesters Shut Down Proceedings

Kentucky lawmakers passed a "blue lives matter" bill Monday after Black Lives Matter protesters shut down proceedings on the House floor. The Kentucky House of Representatives voted 77-13 to pass HB 14, which would add employment as a law enforcement officer or first responder to the list of groups protected under state hate crime legislation.

Protesters filled the House gallery during the debate on Monday, briefly shutting down the proceedings before marching out while escorted by State Police, local radio station 89.3 WFPL reported. Critics said the bill is unnecessary, as laws are already on the books that protect police officers from attack, and does little more than divide constituents along ideological lines. Acts of violence against protected groups can trigger increased criminals penalties under hate crime laws, which currently protect individuals targeted for race, color, religion, sexual orientation and national origin.

“I strongly reject this type of legislation that pits one group against the other,” Democratic Rep. Jim Wayne said, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Kevin Bratcher, is one of many drafted by state lawmakers across the country that have come to be known as "blue lives matter" bills. The legislation seeks to protect police officers from the kind of police-targeting ambushes that have taken the lives of officers in New York, Dallas and Baton Rouge. Louisiana became the first state to pass similar legislation in 2016.

Black Lives Matter organizers said the bill was "offensive," local ABC affiliate WHAS reported.

“I think we do need to understand where racism comes from and how it was created, and how bills like this are meant to further divide,” said Chanelle Helm, a member of Louisville's Black Lives Matter chapter, according to WFPL.

Bratcher responded to allegations of pandering and anti-Black Lives Matter sentiment by pointing out the phrase "blue lives matter" was not written anywhere in the bill.

There is currently federal legislation in front of the House Judiciary Committee named after the pro-police movement. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) introduced the "Blue Lives Matter Act of 2016" last year.