\n<\/p>\n
Residents of the state of Washington have raised concerns about free speech violations after it was learned that the governor, Jay Inslee (D), is expected to sign a bill creating a \u201cbias incident hotline.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the bill, citizens may call the hotline to turn in their friends, family, and neighbors for \u201chate crimes\u201d and \u201cbias.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill, SSB 5427, is designed<\/a> to support people \u201cwho have been targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents by establishing a reporting hotline and tracking hate crimes and bias incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n A \u201cbias incident\u201d is defined as a \u201cperson\u2019s hostile expression of animus toward another person, relating to actual or perceived characteristics identified by specified statutes, of which criminal investigation or prosecution is impossible or inappropriate.\u201d Alleged \u201cbias incidents\u201d do not include \u201cexpressions of opposition or support for the actions or policies of a foreign or domestic government protected under free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n