Del. Vanessa Atterbeary

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill allows heirs or beneficiaries receiving a home from a deceased relative to transfer the property without paying all overdue property taxes upfront, provided they agree to a payment plan. It also permits new property owners to assume a parent's or previous owner's existing tax payment plan when buying a home. To support these options, the law requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to set up a vendor-run installment program for any homeowner and authorizes local governments to create their own payment plans for overdue taxes on residential properties. These changes aim to simplify the process of transferring ownership while ensuring outstanding tax debts are addressed through structured repayment.

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 The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing.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 Maryland bill creates a new local delivery service permit that allows third-party contractors, independent contractors, or agents to deliver alcoholic beverages on behalf of licensed retailers. Under the law, a retailer must first obtain authorization from its local licensing board before hiring a permitted delivery service to bring alcohol to customers within that same jurisdiction. The permit holders must be at least 21 years old, complete an alcohol awareness program, and cannot sell or store the alcohol themselves, while the retailer retains control over sales and payments. Local licensing boards will set specific application rules and can charge a $1,000 annual fee for the permit, which also establishes penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes requirements for Maryland county school boards to ensure blind and visually impaired students receive textbooks in specialized formats like braille, audio, or digital text. It mandates that textbook publishers provide electronic files to a state center for conversion into these accessible formats and requires the state to cover costs when specialized versions are unavailable. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that students with some remaining vision cannot be denied braille instruction solely based on their vision level, while also setting new standards for teachers of these students.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law, known as the Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024, allows the state and private individuals to sue firearm companies for creating public nuisances if they knowingly sell or market products that cause harm to the public. The bill requires these industry members to implement strict controls to prevent sales to prohibited persons, such as convicted felons or straw purchasers, and to stop the theft or loss of firearms. Violations of these rules can lead to civil lawsuits seeking monetary damages, court orders to stop specific practices, and legal fees, without requiring proof that the company intended to break the law. Additionally, the act directs the Attorney General to study whether the state can legally require gun manufacturers to pay for the costs of crime prevention and victim compensation.

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 summaryHB 105 allows individuals in Maryland to petition for the expungement of their records following a probation before judgment for driving while impaired or under the influence, provided they meet specific legal criteria. The bill also mandates that the Motor Vehicle Administration require certain convicted drunk drivers to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program for designated periods. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that a participant's enrollment in the program is considered to begin on the day the ignition interlock device is installed in their vehicle, rather than at the time of conviction. These changes aim to streamline record relief for eligible offenders while enforcing stricter monitoring for those convicted of serious driving offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland laws regarding video lottery employee licenses and the valuation of table game chips. It establishes that the face value of a chip used in table games counts as its legal value for theft cases, even if no specific amount is printed on it. Additionally, the legislation creates exceptions to disqualify applicants from holding video lottery licenses if their past convictions involve nonviolent misdemeanors, provided they completed a problem-solving court program or are not working in gaming or security roles. These changes aim to refine how crimes involving moral turpitude are handled in the context of gaming employment while clarifying financial assessments for chip-related theft.