Maine's Democratic governor signs first-of-kind bill to protect HOMELESS

[Bluebear]

The governor of Maine signed legislation Thursday to stiffen the penalty for those convicted of attacking homeless people.

The measure, said to be the first law of its kind in the country, gives judges the flexibility to add additional incarceration time in such crimes. It comes amid a recent nationwide spike in violence against the homeless.

Michael Stoops, director of the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, called the legislation “an important and symbolic statement” — adding that similar efforts are pending in Massachusetts and Florida. A comparable bill in Maryland recently failed to pass by a single vote, he said.

Violent attacks captured on videotape in Florida and San Francisco in recent weeks have added to the impetus to provide protection for the homeless, Stoops said.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/14284156.htm?source=rss&channel=thestate_nation

[Terran1212]

1. Meanwhile my state (Georgia) is pushing them away and taking their funds

I heard they even want to take funds set aside to tackle homelessness and use them to bid on a NASCAR thing...

[Cobalt Violet]

2. I'm glad they did this.

This society sure is sick sometimes. I hope it passes in my state.

[Bluebear]

3. It's a start for sure. nt

[Vidar]

4. Bless him; more normal is legislation attacking the homeless.

[NMMNG]

5. It's about time they did something to help, rather than persecute

or simply ignore the homeless. They have enough indignities and challenges to face as it is. I'm disappointed the bill didn't pass in MD, but hope that the bills in MA and FL pass.

[Charlie Brown]

6. Snowe and Collins had better follow this example n/t