Maryland Will Discontinue Hate Crimes Hotline

The state program concludes on September 30, followed by the launch of a new United Way reporting pilot.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a generic brick government building facade, representing institutional policy shifts in Maryland. — Maryland will close its state-run hate crimes hotline on September 30, shifting bias incident reporting to a United Way community pilot program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maryland will shut down the Attorney General's hate crimes hotline and online portal on September 30, 2026. A new United Way reporting program for non-criminal bias incidents will begin as a pilot on October 15.

Why it matters

The transition occurs following the expiration of the federal grant that previously funded the state-level hotline. Officials aim to shift the handling of non-criminal bias reporting to a community-focused resource network.

The Attorney General's hotline ends on September 30 due to federal grant exhaustion, while a new pilot reporting program starts October 15. Suspected criminal hate incidents must still be reported directly to law enforcement agencies.

The players

United Way

This nonprofit organization is launching a new reporting program for non-criminal hate bias incidents in Maryland.

Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention

This state commission continues its operations focused on addressing hate crimes despite changes to the reporting hotline.

Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

This state office is providing the grant funding for the new United Way hate bias reporting pilot program.

The details

Residents can report non-criminal hate bias incidents through the 211 Central Maryland Helpline or the new United Way webpage. The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention will continue its existing operations despite the hotline closure.

September 30, 2026: The Attorney General's Hate Crimes Hotline and portal will be discontinued.
October 15, 2026: The new United Way reporting program will launch its pilot phase.

Legal Context

This program transition follows the established administrative framework of the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. The state is adjusting its reporting infrastructure to integrate community support services into the broader legal oversight of bias-related incidents.

Residents should continue to report active threats, physical assaults, or vandalism directly to local law enforcement. Non-criminal bias incidents should be directed to the 211 Central Maryland Helpline or the new United Way webpage starting October 15.

The takeaway

The move signifies a pivot toward connecting residents with mediation and mental health support services for non-criminal bias incidents. Citizens should ensure they distinguish between criminal conduct, which requires police intervention, and non-criminal bias, which is now handled by community support.