FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will support a United Way of Central Maryland program for the reporting of hate bias incidents, also known as non-criminal acts of hate. Through the new reporting function, Marylanders affected by hate bias incidents will be connected with available resources, including mental health support, community support, mediation, and other assistance, either by calling the 211 Central Maryland Helpline or reporting incidents on a dedicated United Way webpage.
“No one should ever have to face hate alone,” said Attorney General Brown. “When people find the courage to speak up, we owe them a place that listens and helps. The more people come forward, the fewer places hate has to hide.”
A hate bias incident is a non-criminal act motivated by bias against a person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, gender identity, or homelessness. A hate crime, by contrast, is a criminal act, such as assault, vandalism, or a threat, motivated by that same kind of bias towards one of the protected classes listed above. Hate crimes should be reported to law enforcement and are not handled through 211 or the United Way webpage.
As part of a grant received from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, United Way will launch the new reporting function and webpage as a pilot program on October 15, 2026, in six Maryland jurisdictions: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County, with statewide expansion planned after the pilot year
The initiative builds on the work of the OAG’s Hate Crimes Hotline (1-866-481-8361) and online reporting portal on the NoHomeForHate website. As the OAG’s grant from the U.S. Department of Justice concludes later this month, the Office is transitioning this work to United Way of Central Maryland with the goal of making hate bias incident reporting and support eventually available across Maryland.
“At United Way of Central Maryland, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected to the resources they need to thrive,” said Sandy Monck, Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. “We’re pleased to expand on the work of the Office of the Attorney General to help ensure that people who experience hate bias incidents have a trusted place to turn for support and resources. This initiative aligns with our mission and work to strengthen lives and create pathways for every person to thrive.”
Support During the Transition
Beginning October 15, Marylanders in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County will be able to report hate bias incidents by calling 211 or through a dedicated United Way of Central Maryland website and be connected with available resources. As the pilot expands, this reporting capability will become available statewide.
On September 30, the OAG’s Hate Crimes Hotline and online reporting portal will be discontinued. The NoHomeForHate website, however, will remain available throughout the transition and continue to feature resources for help. All Marylanders can use this website’s new resource tree to find support and information about hate crimes and hate bias incidents.
Through September 30, questions about reporting may also be directed to the Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-866-481-8361 or the StopHate email at [email protected]. Please leave your specific question in your voicemail so someone can follow up with you.
The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention will continue its work. After September 30, the StopHate email should only be used for questions about the Commission’s work.
Background
The OAG has operated the Hate Crimes Hotline since 2016. The Office added the StopHate email ([email protected]) in 2023 and launched its online reporting portal in June 2024. Since the summer of 2023, the OAG has responded to more than 700 individuals through these reporting mechanisms. OAG data on reports made to the OAG are available in the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention’s annual reports. The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center’s official reports are also available to the public. Both the Commission’s annual reports and MCAC official reports are available on the NoHomeForHate website on the Information and Resources tab. Data from November and December 2025 and all of 2026 will be released with the Commission’s annual report later this year.
Reporting a Hate Crime
The United Way of Central Maryland program is intended for hate bias incidents that do not constitute criminal conduct. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. To report a suspected hate crime for investigation, contact a local law enforcement agency directly. Hate crimes are investigated by law enforcement and prosecuted through the criminal justice system, not through United Way, the 211 Central Maryland Helpline, or the OAG’s hate bias reporting tools.
Reports of hate made to law enforcement are compiled by the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC) and made available through the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention’s website.
Ensuring Marylanders know where to turn when they experience hate remains central to this transition, because there is no home for hate in Maryland.
About United Way of Central Maryland
United Way of Central Maryland builds healthy and resilient communities, expands youth opportunity, and strengthens financial security through its programs and resource hubs in communities across Greater Baltimore. For more than 100 years, United Way has strengthened lives and neighborhoods by meeting ongoing and emerging needs in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Learn more at uwcm.org.
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