Maddy summaryHB 576 authorizes the Maryland State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulations, directly affecting the public, state agencies, and courts that access or request records. Key provisions include allowing the Archives to set fees as a percentage (capped at 2% of existing fees) or flat subscription rates for record preservation, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and setting a $3 fee for public copies of property plats. The bill also clarifies that courts may obtain land record copies for free with judicial approval while maintaining fee structures for other services like vital records and certified copies. These changes update existing fee authority in Maryland law without altering record access requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 794 prohibits Maryland police officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for groups promoting white supremacy, racial bigotry, or violence against Black, Indigenous, and people of color. The bill requires the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to enforce this rule, specifically banning officers from participating in or promoting FBI-designated extremist groups that encourage illegal violence. It directly affects all sworn police officers in Maryland by establishing clear conduct standards for their off-duty associations. The law amends existing state code to define "white supremacist groups" and mandates the Commission to enforce these restrictions starting October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.
Maddy summaryHB 835 repeals Maryland’s authority to issue no-knock search warrants and establishes new procedures for all search warrants. It requires law enforcement to provide written justification for any warrant request, including evidence supporting the need for no notice, details on why less invasive methods weren’t used, and specific information about occupants (including disabilities or pets). Warrants must now be executed between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless exigent circumstances exist, and officers must have completed specialized breach-entry training. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies when obtaining warrants and impacts residents whose properties may be searched. The changes aim to increase transparency and safety during warrant executions.
Maddy summaryHB 539 creates a pathway for individuals lacking formal proof of educational credentials to become child care teachers in Maryland centers serving preschool or school-age children (3+ years old). It requires the State Board of Education to establish a process where these individuals can be hired during a 6-month probationary period while completing approved pre-service training (90 hours total). To qualify, they must hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in specific fields (e.g., early childhood education, child development) and complete training within six months of hire, or complete 45 hours before hire and finish the rest within six months. Child care centers must terminate or reassign teachers who fail to meet these requirements by the end of the probationary period. The bill directly affects child care centers and prospective teachers who possess relevant education but lack documentation.
Maddy summaryHB 488 establishes the geographic boundaries for Maryland's eight congressional districts for the 2026 elections. It specifies exact county and election district portions, using census tract data to define district lines where precincts are split, based on boundaries as they existed on January 13, 2026. This bill directly affects voters in Maryland's congressional districts by determining which communities are grouped together for electing U.S. Representatives. It replaces previous election law sections (8-702 through 8-709) and clarifies that certain districting rules apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones.
Maddy summaryHB 722 removes the legal protection known as "charitable immunity" that previously shielded charitable organizations (like youth programs or non-profits) from lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. It allows victims to sue these organizations for abuse that occurred while they were minors, regardless of when the abuse happened, and applies retroactively to all past, pending, or dismissed cases. The bill also sets limits on attorney fees for such cases (20% of settlements or 25% of judgments) and takes effect on October 1, 2026. This change directly affects victims seeking compensation and charitable organizations previously protected from liability in these claims.
Maddy summaryHB 559 revises how Maryland distributes highway user revenue funds for capital grants to Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities. It changes the percentage allocations from the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account across specific fiscal years: Baltimore City’s share increases to 12.2% for 2026-2027 (down to 9.5% after 2028), counties’ share rises to 4.8% for 2026-2027 (then 3.7%), and municipalities’ share grows to 3.0% for 2026-2027 (then 2.4%). These adjustments apply to funds calculated annually based on highway user revenues like fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. The bill directly affects local governments receiving these state-funded transportation grants.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a rule that a minor's statement during a custodial interrogation is presumed involuntary and inadmissible in court if law enforcement intentionally used false information to obtain it. It directly affects minors facing juvenile or criminal charges, as their statements could be excluded from proceedings under this presumption. The presumption can be overcome only with clear and convincing evidence proving the statement was voluntary despite the false information. The law applies to all custodial interrogations of minors in Maryland, modifying admissibility standards under Maryland's judicial code.
Maddy summaryHB 699 amends Maryland's use of force statute to require police officers to intervene when another officer uses excessive force and to provide basic first aid to individuals injured during police actions. It creates two new misdemeanor offenses: intentionally failing to intervene (penalty: up to 10 years imprisonment) or failing to render first aid and request medical assistance (penalty: up to 5 years imprisonment). The bill directly affects all police officers and supervisors, mandating they sign a "sanctity of life pledge," undergo de-escalation training, document force incidents, and supervisors must review video evidence of use-of-force cases. These provisions aim to enforce accountability during police encounters by codifying specific duties to prevent harm and provide aid.