Del. Sandy Bartlett

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits local governments to allowing no more than 10 cents per paper carryout bag charged by retailers. It applies to all counties and municipalities that have enacted laws requiring or permitting such fees. Retailers, including stores and restaurants, would be restricted to charging this maximum fee under local ordinances. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 816 requires that summaries on petition signature pages and ballot questions be written in plain language, avoiding legal jargon, passive voice, and double negatives. This means including a clear summary of the proposal's purpose and a statement explaining the practical outcome of each voting choice for both petitions and ballots. The bill also updates deadlines for ballot question certification and mandates that election boards make information available for public comment and post details online before general elections. These changes directly affect petition sponsors, ballot question proponents, and election officials in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 822 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove outdated language requiring belief in God from Maryland's Declaration of Rights. Specifically, it would delete provisions in Articles 36 (affecting jury service and witness testimony), 37 (affecting public office qualifications), and 39 (affecting oath administration) that courts have already ruled unconstitutional. The bill aims to align Maryland's constitution with existing Supreme Court precedents, such as *Torcaso v. Watkins* and *Schowgurow v. State*, which struck down similar religious tests. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this amendment would formally remove these references from the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 400 prohibits Maryland state agencies and instrumentalities from using state funds for magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation systems within the state. The bill specifically blocks appropriations for building or operating such systems but allows spending on salaries for staff reviewing permits or approvals for maglev projects. This directly affects state budgeting decisions and any entities seeking state financial support for maglev infrastructure. The law takes effect June 1, 2025, and does not prevent private development of maglev 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 417 establishes the Commission on Universal Health Care to study the feasibility of creating a state-run health care program covering all Maryland residents through a single-payer system. The commission, composed of appointed members from government, labor unions, healthcare organizations, and community groups, will examine how to provide comprehensive, equitable coverage - including preventive, mental, reproductive, and hospital care - regardless of income, immigration status, or health needs. It will analyze cost containment strategies, health equity gaps, and models from other states, but does not create the program itself. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 341 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties/municipalities to grant property tax credits to property owners who convert retail service stations (like gas stations) to other retail, residential, or mixed uses. The credit specifically helps cover costs for removing underground storage tanks and cleaning contamination. Local governments can set credit terms, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue from the credit. This bill directly affects property owners and local governments managing such conversions, focusing on practical cleanup costs rather than new development.