Bill Introduced Would Require Public Universities to Report Hate-Based Incidents

A bill before the Maryland House of Delegates aims to prevent hate-bias incidents at colleges and universities.

The legislation, introduced Jan. 26 and sponsored by a number of delegates, would require public institutions of higher education to implement and develop programs to prevent hate-based incidents and provide training in cultural diversity.

If the law passes, schools would be mandated to provide incoming students with training in awareness and prevention.

In addition, public universities would be required to report the number of incidents and progress to the state’s Higher Education Commission.

Del. Aruna Miller (D-15)  and Del. Marice Morales (D-19), both representing Montgomery County and sponsors of the bill, were not available for comment Monday.

In October 2017, Bowie State student Richard W. Collins III was stabbed to death by Sean Urbanski on the University of Maryland campus.

Collins, who was black, was also a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

According to court documents, Urbanski was charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime resulting in death.

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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