Md. becomes first state in nation to protect homeless people under hate-crimes law

Attacks on homeless become hate crime in Md.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — 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 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 particularly vulnerable. He introduced the bill four years running before it was approved. Defining such attacks as hate crimes will allow prosecutors to seek tougher penalties.

Other states including California and Texas are considering similar bills. The Maryland law takes effect Oct. 1.