Md. hate crime bill would help homeless

[maddezmom]

Md. hate crime bill would help homeless 11 minutes ago



ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The state Senate voted Tuesday to add homeless people to the list of groups protected under anti-hate-crime laws.

The bill passed 38-9, and the measure now moves to the House.

Maryland law already calls for extra penalties for violent crimes against victims singled out because of race, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. If the new measure is added, Maryland would be the first state to include the homeless in its hate crime law protections, said the measure's sponsor, Sen. Alex Mooney.

Democrats and Republicans were both split on the addition of homeless people to the list. Some voted no because they oppose the whole concept of enhanced penalties for crimes against certain groups; others thought the Republican-sponsored bill was a cynical attempt to water down hate crime laws.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070306/ap_on_re_us/hate_crimes