Judges will be allowed to require people charged with hate crimes to complete anti-bias education programs if a bill to expand the current Maryland hate crime law is passed.

Sen. Shelly Hettleman, D-Baltimore, is sponsoring the bill, SB0220, which aims to use anti-bias education programs to reduce the number of repeat offenders.

“We just think it is a very important restorative approach to provide to judges and could have a very positive effect on preventing people from recidivating,” Hettleman said last month during a bill hearing.

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