Maryland Lawmakers Propose Legislation For Stricter Penalties Against Hate Crimes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) — Hate crimes are on the rise in the U.S. and Maryland is no exception.
Now, some lawmakers are asking the General Assembly to crack down on people who use nooses, swastikas and other symbols to threaten or intimidate.
Recent incidents in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore and Howard counties have prompted lawmakers to toughen the law against hate crimes.
“In Maryland, you have to have an underlying crime to then prosecute a hate crime which makes sense, but one