5-8-2009 Maryland:
Maryland has become the first state in the nation to protect homeless people under a hate-crimes law.
Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a bill Thursday that explicitly outlaws targeting people for crimes because they are homeless.
The bill was sponsored by a conservative state senator who opposed extending hate-crime protections to gays and lesbians. Since then, Republican Sen. Alex Mooney has lobbied to expand the hate-crimes law to include other groups.
Mooney says the homeless are a particularly vulnerable population. He introduced the bill four years running before it was finally approved.
Similar legislation is being considered in several other states, including California and Texas. The Maryland law takes effect Oct. 1. ..News Source.. by BEN NUCKOLS
May 8, 2009
MD- Attacks on homeless become hate crime in Md.
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