Del. Frank Conaway

Maddy summaryHB 350, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," applies to local elections in Maryland counties and cities, protecting the voting rights of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups. It prohibits election methods that weaken the voting power of these groups, preventing them from electing preferred candidates or influencing election outcomes. Courts will determine violations by examining past election patterns and federal voting rights standards, rather than requiring proof of discriminatory intent. If a violation is found, courts can order remedies like changing election systems, but must respect existing statewide election practices.

Maddy summaryHB 867 requires property owners to conspicuously post a notice against trespass or loitering on real property before filing a wrongful detainer lawsuit (used to evict unlawful occupants). Without this posted notice, the court cannot proceed with the case, directly affecting landlords and property owners who rely on this legal process for eviction. The bill amends Maryland law to add this posting requirement as a prerequisite for wrongful detainer actions, replacing previous provisions that allowed such lawsuits without notice. This change ensures clear notification to potential trespassers before legal action is taken.

Maddy summaryHB 793 requires Maryland prosecutors to notify victims of theft or their representatives (such as family members or guardians for minors, deceased, or disabled victims) about key case details in misdemeanor theft cases. This applies to thefts of property or services valued at $100 or more (but less than $1,500) or under $100. Within 10 days of a court filing, prosecutors must send victims a pamphlet and a form to request updates, and victims who complete the form will receive notifications about DNA evidence and case matches. The bill streamlines victim communication by making the notification process automatic for eligible cases without requiring additional requests from victims.

Maddy summaryHB 749 requires prosecutors in Maryland to notify victims (or their designated representatives) about court proceedings in theft cases involving property or services valued at $100 or more. This applies to misdemeanor thefts between $100-$1,500 and all thefts under $100, with victims or representatives defined as family members, guardians, or advocates for minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. Prosecutors must mail specific forms and notifications within 10 days of an indictment, allowing victims to request updates via a state system (MDEC) or written form. The bill also clarifies that filing these requests satisfies legal requirements for victim notification under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 847 makes it a misdemeanor to possess or claim rights to residential property you don’t legally own with intent to defraud. Violations carry escalating penalties: up to 90 days in jail or $500 for a first offense, increasing to 1 year/jail or $2,500 for repeat offenses within two years. Property owners can file a sworn affidavit with the sheriff to request law enforcement remove alleged fraudsters, but officers must halt removal if the person presents evidence of lawful possession. The law explicitly states it doesn’t prevent owners from filing standard wrongful detainer lawsuits under existing property law.

Maddy summaryHB 757 makes theft of mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects anyone who steals such items and requires prosecutors to notify victims or their representatives about key court proceedings, including DNA evidence status and case updates. The bill specifies that "victim" includes family members or guardians of minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. It streamlines notification through mailed forms or an electronic system while allowing victims to keep their contact information confidential. These changes aim to strengthen penalties for package theft and improve victim communication in criminal cases.

Maddy summaryHB 787, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2026," makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or commercial carriers a felony. It directly affects individuals who take another person’s mail/package without permission (e.g., porch pirates) and courts handling such cases. Key provisions require offenders to return stolen items or pay restitution, with third or subsequent offenses carrying up to 3 years in prison, $1,500 fines, or both. For repeat offenders, courts may also mandate substance use disorder evaluation and treatment as part of sentencing. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 788, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2026," prohibits stealing mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies (like FedEx or Amazon) without the recipient’s permission. It makes this theft a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The bill also requires courts to order convicted offenders to stay away from specific locations, including the crime scene, the victim’s home or workplace, and any other place the offender targeted during the theft. This law directly affects individuals who steal packages and the recipients whose deliveries are stolen, taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 792 (Porch Piracy Act of 2026) makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or private carriers a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects individuals who steal mail/packages and the recipients (victims) of such theft. Key provisions require courts to order thieves to either return the stolen item or pay restitution for its value to the victim. Additionally, interest accrued on overdue restitution payments must be split equally - 50% to the victim and 50% to the court. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 782 amends Maryland's criminal law to increase the penalty for illegally opening another person's mail. The bill raises the fine for violating this prohibition from $15 to $500 while keeping the maximum jail term at six days. It directly affects individuals who take or break open letters addressed to others without permission, including mail carriers or others accessing private correspondence. The key change is the substantial fine increase, making the penalty more severe for this specific violation. The amendment becomes effective October 1, 2026.