Maryland House passes hate crime bill, moves to Senate

Maryland House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed legislation Friday barring the placement of items or symbols on property to intimidate specific groups of people.

The House passed House Bill 4 with a 136-2 vote. Del. Mark Chang, D-Glen Burnie, sponsored the bill as an effort to reduce incidents of hate crimes throughout the state. The legislation initially focused on nooses and swastikas but was amended to include any symbol placed without express permission. Nooses and swastikas are still explicitly listed in the bill.

Anyone found in violation could be imprisoned for up to three years and/or fined $5,000.

“The bill really encompasses any symbol of hate,” Chang said.

Chang tried to pass the legislation last year following a noose being placed at Crofton Middle School. That bill failed to pass through the House of Delegates after amendments.

Since the Crofton Middle noose case, there have been other racist incidents at Chesapeake High School. In April, racist messages targeting white and black people were written on classroom mouse pads. A fight with racial overtones also broke out that month.

In October, the phrase “Kill All Blacks” was written on a sign-in sheet. School officials called the incident unacceptable.

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