Michigan plans hate crime law expansion to cover disability

The Detroit Free Press reports that "Michigan's hate crime law would expand to include intimidation of gays and lesbians and people with disabilities, and would make hanging a noose or burning a cross specific property crimes, under changes urged by civil rights groups, legislators and law enforcement officials July 23."

Rep. Paul Condino, D-Southfield, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he plans to introduce a bill to strengthen the state's ethnic intimidation law.