(a) The attorney general may bring a cause of action for malicious harassment in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) A person commits malicious harassment when, because of another person's race, color, ancestry, religion, or national origin, the person purposely or knowingly, with the intent to intimidate another person in relation to the free exercise or enjoyment of a right or privilege secured by the constitution or laws of the United States or this state:(1) Injures or threatens to injure another person;(2) Coerces another person; or(3) Damages, destroys, or defaces real or personal property of another person or public property.
(1) Injures or threatens to injure another person;
(2) Coerces another person; or
(3) Damages, destroys, or defaces real or personal property of another person or public property.
(c) A person committing malicious harassment in violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per victim recoverable by the state. In addition, the court may order payment of damages caused by the violator and other appropriate sanction.