LANSING — The state of Michigan passed a new anti-bullying law last week in the House, HB 4163, that is an amendment of the original anti-bullying law. 

The state is one of three that doesn’t have an anti-bullying bill on the books. 

The newly-amended bill has the  Section 8 “religious and moral exemption” removed. The exemption had caused an outpouring of complaints from rights groups, igniting a controversy. 

Many expressed relief that the bill had been passed without the exemption, which could have actually provided protection to bullies they wouldn’t have in the absence of an anti-bullying law. 

Democrats had hoped that specific wording of protected classes including race, religion, cultural expression and more could be included but were disappointed that it was not. The bill will now head to the Michigan Senate.