Del. Aaron Kaufman

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to address gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who coordinates efforts with federal, state, and local agencies while actively seeking input from communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence and public health experts. Key responsibilities include developing state plans for violence reduction, issuing guidance on evidence-based strategies, facilitating data sharing, and conducting public awareness campaigns. Funding for the center will be included in the state budget starting in fiscal year 2026, and the law takes effect on October 1, 2024.

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 updates regulations on automatic license plate readers by clarifying that data stored via cloud computing counts as historical data. It establishes that such data belongs to the law enforcement agency that collected it and strictly prohibits selling or sharing it with other agencies or entities. The bill also extends legal penalties to vendors contracted by law enforcement agencies if they mishandle this information and requires new security procedures, including regular audits and breach reporting. Additionally, the legislation allows specific data to be uploaded to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center for statewide analysis.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law updates criminal procedure rules to allow the use of forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis for identifying deceased or missing children under 18. The bill specifically permits law enforcement to use these genetic searches when a child's whereabouts are unknown, even if standard legal restrictions on such techniques would otherwise apply. By adding a new section to the state code, the legislation clarifies that existing limitations on DNA analysis do not block efforts to locate or identify these vulnerable individuals. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, providing a legal framework for using genealogy databases in cases involving missing or deceased minors.

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 summaryMaryland's HB 338 establishes strict rules for how law enforcement agencies can use facial recognition technology in criminal investigations. The bill prohibits using this technology to identify individuals in public spaces or for real-time tracking, except when investigating specific serious crimes like violence, human trafficking, or stalking. Additionally, results from facial recognition software cannot be the only evidence used to identify a suspect or establish probable cause; they must be supported by other independent proof. The law also prevents officers from telling witnesses that a suspect was identified via this technology before a formal lineup and bans comparing images against databases other than official driver's license or mugshot records. Finally, the state law overrides any local rules that might have been in place regarding the use of facial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires circuit court clerks to record and index discharge papers for anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, with the option to use either a physical book or an electronic record. The law prohibits clerks from charging fees for recording or indexing these documents and establishes that the records or certified copies are admissible as evidence in state and federal courts. Access to the records is restricted to parties involved in legal proceedings, the individuals themselves, or relatives of the service member if at least 70 years have passed since the discharge papers were filed. Additionally, the bill mandates that clerks must redact social security numbers from all portions of the records to protect personal privacy.

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.