Del. Nicole Williams

Maddy summaryHB 545 automates the removal of certain criminal records from public view in Maryland. It directly affects individuals with eligible cases involving cannabis possession (with 3+ years since case resolution) or specific misdemeanors (with 7+ years since resolution, excluding domestic violence or assault charges). The bill establishes a new process where the Judiciary identifies eligible cases monthly starting August 2027, then electronically notifies the Department of Public Safety to automatically remove those records within 30 days. This replaces a previous deadline and creates a permanent, systematic approach for expungement without requiring individuals to file separate requests.

Maddy summaryHB 499 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) changes Maryland’s expungement process to make it easier for people with certain misdemeanor convictions to clear their records. It reduces waiting periods after completing a sentence (removing the previous 3-year limit for some offenses), expands eligibility to include more misdemeanor convictions, and requires courts to confirm restitution payments are made or unpayable before expungement. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from referencing expunged records. These changes directly affect individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions who have completed their sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 1107 limits when incarcerated minors in Maryland can be placed in restrictive housing (like solitary confinement). It prohibits using restrictive housing for discipline, punishment, staff convenience, or retaliation, and requires facilities to prove an immediate safety risk exists with no other options. The bill mandates mental health screenings within one hour of placement, restricts time in restrictive housing to a maximum of six hours, and requires facilities to develop plans for moving minors back to general population or providing alternative programming. It also allows minors to request placement in restrictive housing and revoke that request at any time, with immediate return to general population if withdrawn. This directly affects minors in juvenile correctional facilities and the Department of Juvenile Services.

Maddy summaryHB 687, the Community-Oriented Policing Act, prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from setting or using arrest, citation, or warrant quotas for officer evaluations, promotions, or discipline. The bill specifically bans agencies from requiring officers to meet specific activity targets (like a set number of arrests) or using those numbers as the primary factor in personnel decisions. It also clarifies that agencies may still use quantitative data for management purposes, as long as it doesn’t dictate officer evaluations. The law amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code and takes effect October 1, 2025. It directly affects all local and state law enforcement agencies and their officers in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 669 requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to adopt and implement body-worn camera policies by January 1, 2016, covering recording protocols, data storage, and officer procedures (Section 3-511). It allows body camera recordings to be used as evidence in court or disciplinary hearings (Section 10-926) and sets strict rules for public access: recordings may be denied unless the subject consents, the recording involves a crime victim/witness, or privacy expectations apply (Section 4-315.1). Agencies must submit annual reports to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, which will also publish an annual report on compliance (Section 3-511). The bill directly affects all Maryland law enforcement agencies and their officers, mandating standardized policies to ensure consistent use, evidence integrity, and privacy protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 expands juvenile court jurisdiction in Maryland by removing previous restrictions that excluded certain serious cases from juvenile court. It directly affects children aged 10 or older accused of specific violent or dangerous offenses (like murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, or firearm-related crimes) that would be treated as adult crimes if committed by an adult. The bill repeals provisions that previously barred juvenile court from handling these cases for children 10+ (for certain crimes) or 16+ (for crimes like murder, kidnapping, or firearm offenses), meaning more serious cases will now be processed in juvenile court unless transferred to criminal court. This change shifts jurisdictional authority without altering the underlying criminal laws or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 restricts federal immigration enforcement agencies from accessing Maryland state and local government databases without a valid warrant. It requires state/local law enforcement agencies, DMV, and other government units to deny federal requests for personal information, photos, or facial recognition data unless accompanied by a federal or Maryland court warrant. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on all such federal requests received, including how many were denied or granted with warrants. This directly affects Maryland state agencies, local governments, and federal immigration officers seeking access to these databases.

Maddy summaryHB 1006, the "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act," requires Maryland's Attorney General to create guidelines limiting immigration enforcement at specific sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, childcare centers, and domestic violence shelters. State agencies operating at these locations must either adopt policies aligned with the guidelines or submit written justification and existing policies if they choose not to comply. The bill directly affects all Maryland state agencies managing facilities listed in the law, such as public schools, community health centers, and emergency shelters. Its key mechanism is mandating agency adherence to the guidelines or transparent documentation of non-compliance. The law aims to reduce immigration enforcement disruptions at places where vulnerable populations seek essential services.

Maddy summaryHB 55 allows individuals with completed misdemeanor or felony sentences to petition courts for expungement (clearing criminal records) at any time if they demonstrate "good cause." Courts must consider factors like the crime's nature, the person's rehabilitation, public safety risk, and how the conviction impacts employment, housing, and education. If denied, the decision cannot be appealed, and the person cannot reapply for five years for the same conviction. This bill directly affects people with past convictions seeking to improve their job prospects, housing options, and access to public assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 1190, the "Criminal Law - Youth Accountability and Safety Act," modifies Maryland's murder statutes to protect individuals who were children at the time of a crime. It prohibits finding someone guilty of first-degree murder under specific circumstances (like crimes committed during burglary or robbery) unless they were the main actor in the offense. The bill creates a process allowing people convicted of first-degree murder before September 30, 2025, who were children at the time and not the main actor, to file a motion for review. Courts must hold hearings to determine if the person could be convicted under current law after October 1, 2025, and may vacate the conviction or resentence without increasing penalties. This directly affects a small number of individuals currently incarcerated for such convictions.