Del. Dana Stein

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill expands the list of people who can request medical records without paying a fee to include attorneys representing patients. The law specifically allows these attorneys to obtain records free of charge when the documents are needed to file or appeal a claim for Social Security disability income or benefits. By adding attorneys to the existing exemptions that already cover patients and their personal representatives, the bill ensures legal advocates can access necessary medical information without incurring costs. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply to all health care providers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Jaycee Webster Victims' Rights Act, requires Maryland commitment units to inform victims, their representatives, and witnesses when a defendant or child respondent is released from confinement. When sending these notifications, the facility must include the name and phone number of a specific victim services employee from the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center to assist those affected. The law also mandates that commitment units notify these individuals about other significant events, such as escapes, transfers, or the death of the person in custody. Additionally, the legislation protects the privacy of witnesses and victims by prohibiting commitment units from sharing their contact information with the defendants.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law extends the time limit for prosecuting sexual extortion and stalking crimes to five and ten years respectively, allowing authorities to pursue charges long after the offenses occurred. Additionally, the bill removes the standard time restrictions for prosecuting revenge porn, permitting the state to initiate these cases at any point in the future. The legislation also classifies these offenses as serious misdemeanors that can result in prison time and allows for special appellate review of related cases. By updating these statutes, the bill aims to provide victims with more time to report crimes and ensures that perpetrators face potential legal consequences regardless of how much time has passed since the incident.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill officially changes the common name of the northern snakehead to "Patuxent Fish" or "Chesapeake Channa" in state laws and department publications. It creates a specific commercial fishing license for catching this fish in tidal waters, allowing the use of bow and arrow or hook and line methods with certain safety restrictions near swimmers and divers. The license costs $15 per year, is valid for one year, and cannot be transferred to another person. The Department of Natural Resources must update all its materials to use the new names by January 1, 2025, while the law itself takes effect on October 1, 2024.