Hanging a noose is one step closer to becoming a hate crime in Maryland after a General Assembly committee passed the proposal on to the full House of Delegates floor last week.
The measure bans displaying a noose in response to a person?s race, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. The bill?s sponsor, Del. Victor Ramirez, a Prince George?s County Democrat, said he expected a final vote by the end of this week.
“You either agree with the concept or not,” Ramirez said. “We?ve come up with a bill that passes constitutional muster, so there are no excuses.”
At a public hearing in January, prosecutors suggested expanding the proposal to include all weapons used to intimidate a protected class.
