A bill filed in the Kentucky legislature aims to protect drivers who inadvertently hit protesters with their cars.

The proposal, filed last week, comes just two months after a white supremacist killed one woman and injured more than 19 people after ramming his Dodge Challenger into counterprotesters at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Sponsored by Rep. C. Wesley Morgan, R-Madison, the bill would remove all legal punishment for hitting a protester who was blocking the street, but only if the protesting group did not have a permit and if the driver didn't plan to cause harm.

It also would make it illegal to wear a mask or hood during a protest.

Morgan said he is sponsoring the bill because constituents called his office after Charlottesville, worried about subsequent rallies in central Kentucky.

When asked if the bill could lead or empower another event like Charlottesville, Morgan said the bill clearly would protect drivers who did not intend harm. People who run over protesters on purpose would be prosecuted.

Opinion:Rep. C. Wesley Morgan's bill freeing killers from responsibility redefines idiocy

“All they’d have to do is prove that it’s intentional. And that can be done," Morgan said. "But let's face the facts, who is in the wrong? Who is the criminal? Is it the person who is running into the middle of Interstate 40 who needs to be protected or is it the person who is driving the car and someone just happens to come into their lane of traffic?"

Chanelle Helm, co-founder, and organizer of Black Lives Matter Louisville, thinks the sentiments in the bill are dangerous.

"Telling someone it would be OK to harm somebody is dangerous," Helm said. "He should be revoked from his office. People protesting are performing an action well within their rights. A bill like this is the reason why we protest."

Charlottesville victim's mother:'Be moved into positive action'

While Morgan said the bill would increase safety, Kate Miller, advocacy director for the American Civil Liberties Union, said there are already local measures in place governing situations when a pedestrian gets struck by a car. She also said there are laws that apply to assaults and other protest-related crimes.

"We've seen measures like this proposed in other states, and it's likely in response to the overall increase in protests happening in the last year," Miller said. "But just like anywhere in the country, there isn't a single county in Kentucky that couldn't already prosecute those crimes. It's unnecessary."

The bill also would make it a Class A misdemeanor to wear a mask at a protest, which could lead to 90 days to a year in jail if convicted. It could also mean a fine up to $500.

Morgan said the mask provision would protect protesters as well as bystanders.

"You could say that this is a response to the way that the (Ku Klux) Klan used to put hoods over their faces," Morgan said. "Why are you showing up to a protest with masks on and then destroying property or assaulting people and your whole intention of wearing the mask is to prevent from being prosecuted?"

More:How Kentucky political leaders are responding to violence in Charlottesville

Miller said the ACLU is concerned with the larger consequences of the bill.

"We're worried that this is aimed at restricting free speech. Protest is obviously a number one part of that," Miller said. "It's very important. We also don't want to empower motorists to hit protesters, or anyone else for that matter, with their car."

Reach Reporter Thomas Novelly at 502-582-4465 or by email at tnovelly@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.