Del. Mary Lehman

Maddy summaryHB 677 allows Maryland courts to admit certain out-of-court statements made by vulnerable adult victims or witnesses in criminal trials, specifically for cases involving assault, sexual offenses, financial crimes, or abuse against vulnerable adults. It directly affects vulnerable adults aged 68+ or those lacking physical/mental capacity to meet daily needs. The bill requires courts to hold an evaluation hearing to assess the statement’s trustworthiness, considering factors like the adult’s cognitive ability, whether the statement was spontaneous, and context of the statement. This applies only to statements not covered by other evidence rules and mandates that prosecutors notify defendants 20 days before trial if such statements will be used.

Maddy summaryHB 462 prohibits intentionally causing physical harm to a sports official (umpire, referee, or judge) during a sporting event. It specifically adds sports officials to the list of protected individuals under Maryland's second-degree assault law, making such acts a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. Unlike assaults against police or first responders (which become felonies), assaults against sports officials remain misdemeanors under this bill. The bill also updates arrest procedures to allow warrantless arrests for this specific assault type, as it is now listed in the criminal procedure code.

Maddy summaryHB 660 simplifies probate for estates when an original will is lost or destroyed by allowing interested people to file a petition directly with the Register of Wills (instead of the orphans' court). It authorizes the Register to accept a certified copy of the will for administrative probate if heirs and legatees sign a consent form, eliminating the need for a court order. This bill directly affects executors, heirs, and the Register of Wills office in Maryland, streamlining the process for estates where the original will is unavailable. The law applies only to estates of people who died on or after October 1, 2025, and amends Maryland Code sections 5-802 and 5-804.

Maddy summaryHB 530 extends the mandatory annual funding requirement for Maryland's Forestry Education Fund through fiscal year 2031. It requires the Governor to include $250,000 each year (2025-2031) in the state budget for the fund, which supports forestry education and outreach. The fund directly benefits forest landowners, district forestry boards, local governments, and businesses through training, grants, and sustainability programs. This bill modifies the existing funding schedule without changing the fund's purpose or usage rules.

Maddy summaryHB 606 requires real estate professionals - such as developers, builders, brokers, and agents - to report the final sale price of new homes sold in Maryland into a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or similar public database within 30 days of the sale. This applies specifically to new home sales and directly affects those selling new properties. The key provision mandates that final sale prices, not initial listings, be entered into existing MLS systems used by real estate professionals. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, aiming to increase transparency in new home pricing data without creating new reporting systems.

Maddy summaryHB 613 requires Maryland courts to remove identifying information (like names, addresses, or phone numbers) from court documents in sexual assault cases, unless a judge finds "good cause" to disclose it. It specifically protects victims of sexual assault (defined as alleged victims of certain crimes under Maryland's Criminal Law Article) by mandating redaction of their personal details from all filings, including existing case documents, upon written request. The law also requires the Supreme Court of Maryland to establish rules for implementing this redaction process. This applies to both new court filings and existing cases in criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings involving sexual assault. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 629, the "Stop Silencing Survivors Act," creates legal immunity for individuals who in good faith disclose information about alleged sexually assaultive behavior. It directly affects survivors, witnesses, and others reporting such allegations (e.g., in workplaces, schools, or community settings) by shielding them from civil liability for truthful disclosures. Key provisions include presuming good faith unless proven otherwise with clear evidence of actual malice or intentional false information, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to those successfully defending such disclosures. The bill defines "sexually assaultive behavior" to include specific criminal offenses under Maryland law and equivalent out-of-state or federal laws. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 456 extends the time victims have to file civil lawsuits for nonsexual child abuse or neglect. It allows claims to be filed up to 20 years after the victim turns 18, or 3 years after the abuser is convicted of a related crime (like child neglect or physical injury). The bill also caps noneconomic damages at $1.5 million per claimant against a single defendant for cases that would have been barred before October 2025. This affects victims seeking compensation and defendants (including government entities) facing liability. The law specifically excludes sexual abuse cases from these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 522 authorizes Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services to provide up to one year of funding for rehabilitation services to designated rehabilitation institutions. This bill directly affects institutions operating under the Department's oversight, including state juvenile diagnostic, training, detention, and rehabilitation facilities. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly allow the Department to fund these services, focusing on supporting rehabilitation programs rather than creating new mandates or altering service delivery structures. The funding mechanism is limited to a one-year period per institution.

Maddy summaryHB 474 requires Maryland's Commission on Health Equity, working with the Department of Health, to create a health equity advisory committee. This committee will identify the top 10 health disparities affecting vulnerable groups (including racial minorities, unhoused individuals, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities), review annual hospital reports, and make recommendations. The bill also mandates that all licensed hospitals in Maryland submit annual health equity reports analyzing disparities in care access and outcomes for these groups, with hospital systems required to submit both disaggregated and aggregated reports. These reports must be published on hospital websites, directly affecting hospitals and aiming to address systemic health inequities.