Del. Frank Conaway

Maddy summaryHB 5 updates Maryland's criminal law to explicitly include artificial intelligence-generated images in the definition of "computer-generated image" under child pornography statutes. This means AI-created images that appear indistinguishable from real child abuse material - such as those adapted to look like actual minors - will now be covered under existing laws prohibiting possession or viewing of such content. The bill directly affects individuals who create, possess, or access these AI-generated images, applying the same penalties (up to 5 years in jail or $2,500 fine for misdemeanors) as real child pornography. It maintains exceptions for artistic works like drawings or cartoons and parental photos of children in non-exploitative contexts. The law aims to close a legal gap as AI technology advances, ensuring existing protections apply to digitally generated content.

Maddy summaryHB 756 allows petitioners seeking guardianship of an alleged disabled person's property to request a temporary halt (stay) of six specific civil lawsuits against that person, including rent non-payment cases, eviction proceedings, foreclosure, and property-related claims. The stay remains in effect until a guardian is appointed or the petition is denied, and requires legal notices to be served on the appointed guardian instead of the disabled person. This bill directly affects individuals facing property-related lawsuits while a guardianship petition is pending, as well as courts and guardians handling these cases. It amends Maryland’s Estates and Trusts code (§ 13-223) to create this procedural mechanism, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 allows sellers of residential property to request a second appraisal if an initial appraisal values the property below its current market value. The bill requires lenders to provide a written copy of this additional appraisal to the seller at no cost. It directly affects residential property sellers who disagree with an initial appraisal, giving them a formal process to seek a revised valuation. The key provision ensures sellers receive a free, written copy of the second appraisal, addressing concerns about appraisal discrepancies during sales transactions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 623 requires Maryland counties and Baltimore City to create a centralized website where registers of wills will publish estate-related notices instead of using newspapers. This affects personal representatives (both domestic and foreign), heirs, and creditors who must receive notices about estate appointments, probate requests, and claims deadlines. The bill replaces old newspaper publication rules with website notices, mandating specific content like the foreign representative’s details and claim deadlines, and eliminates the need for foreign representatives to record certifications with the register. It directly changes how notices are delivered, shifting from physical newspapers to a single online platform for all counties.

Maddy summaryHB 74 updates Maryland law to clarify which digital publications can legally publish court orders, property notices, and other official legal notices. The bill requires digital newspapers to maintain a public archive of all published legal notices and employ at least one staff member focused on local news. It defines "newspaper in general circulation" to include digital publications meeting specific criteria (e.g., regular local content, weekly publication, postal service eligibility), replacing older print-only standards. This affects counties and municipalities that mandate legal notices in publications, with special provisions for Prince George’s and Dorchester counties. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 requires the Maryland Parole Commission to improve transparency and equity in parole decisions. It mandates annual reports that break down parole outcomes by race, requires the Commission to provide incarcerated individuals with key documents in advance (not just on request), and prohibits permanent parole denials. The bill also requires the Commission to publicly share hearing transcripts (after redaction), state reasons for denials, and document all decisions on the record. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals in Maryland seeking parole and the Commission's operational procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 130 reclassifies the offense of intercepting, disclosing, or using intercepted wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who illegally intercept or disclose such communications, changing the penalty to up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine (or both), instead of felony-level sanctions. The bill modifies Maryland’s existing law (Article 10, Section 402 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code) by amending the penalty provisions without altering the core prohibitions. Note: The bill’s title mentions "statute of limitations," but the text does not address this; it solely changes penalty severity. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 610 expands expungement eligibility in Maryland by allowing certain criminal charges to be cleared from records when dismissed without a conviction. Specifically, it adds that charges may be expunged if the court issued a "no finding" or terminated the case without a finding - rather than resulting in a conviction. This applies to charges already listed as eligible under current law (such as specific misdemeanors and felonies), without changing the list of offenses. The bill does not alter existing eligibility criteria but broadens the circumstances under which expungement is possible for dismissed cases.

Maddy summaryHB 164 makes it a misdemeanor to fraudulently claim or possess residential property you don’t legally own or possess, targeting individuals who intend to defraud property owners. It establishes penalties of up to 90 days in jail or $500 for a first offense, increasing to 1 year or $2,500 for repeat violations within 2 years. Property owners can submit a sworn affidavit to a sheriff, who must then remove occupants found to be fraudulently occupying the property unless the occupant proves lawful possession. The bill explicitly states it does not affect existing civil wrongful detainer lawsuits under Maryland law. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 210, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2025," prohibits the theft of mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or commercial carriers. It defines "mail or package" as tangible items left for delivery and makes knowingly taking such items without the recipient's permission a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The bill also allows courts to offer diversion programs for third or subsequent violations instead of jail time. This law directly affects individuals who steal mail or packages, aiming to criminalize what is commonly called "porch piracy." The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.