Until now, fisticuffs resulting in minor damage were misdemeanor offenses, for the most part--not prison offenses. Laws like this criminalize too much of the population. Such laws are made by very small men. It's a stupid law with nasty agendas behind it.
As I said before I'm opposed to this type of law, but I don't think it criminalizes speech. This is the one issue I have. If one of those guys gets rough with you, or even offends you, and you beat him up can you be charged with a hate crime?