Rep. Malcolm Ruff

Maddy summaryHB 1146, the "Sacred Places Safety Act," prohibits committing any crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) within medical facilities or places of worship. It directly affects individuals who commit such acts in these locations, which include hospitals, clinics, and nonresidential religious gathering spaces. The bill increases penalties by making such violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in addition to penalties for the underlying violent crime. This law takes effect June 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant locations statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 1406 amends Maryland's self-defense law to allow defendants charged with murder, manslaughter, or specific crimes under Title 3 to claim self-defense without proving the danger was imminent. It directly affects individuals facing these charges who can now assert self-defense if the victim previously committed an assault (any degree) or sexually assaultive behavior against them. The key change removes the requirement that defendants prove they believed danger was immediate, based solely on the victim's prior acts. This applies only to cases where the victim's prior conduct matches the specified offenses in the bill. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 13 as Korean American Day in Maryland. It requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation urging educational and cultural organizations to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. The bill is procedural and commemorative, with no funding or new policy requirements. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not directly impact individuals or create new legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 restricts federal law enforcement officers' powers in Maryland, requiring them to act in accordance with state law when conducting arrests or executing warrants. It prohibits racial profiling by all law enforcement officers and bans agencies from retaliating against officers who report such profiling. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies develop written policies addressing racial profiling by a specified deadline and creates civil lawsuits for violations. These changes directly affect federal officers operating in Maryland, state/local agencies, and individuals interacting with law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1575, the Community Trust Act, prohibits state and local correctional facilities and their employees from detaining individuals or sharing information with federal immigration authorities based on immigration status, except when required by a judicial warrant or for routine booking. It bans asking about citizenship, prolonging detention for immigration reasons, transferring individuals to immigration authorities without a warrant, or coercing people based on immigration status. Exceptions include when immigration status relates to legal protections under state/federal law or international treaties, allowing facilities to notify individuals or offer voluntary disclosure. Correctional facilities must adopt policies with penalties for violations, and affected individuals can seek damages or injunctions if harmed by a breach.

Maddy summaryHB 524 designates September as African Heritage Month in Maryland by requiring the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing African Americans' contributions to the state. The bill directs the Governor to urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during this month. It updates Maryland's legal code (specifically renumbering sections in Article 7 of the General Provisions) to include this requirement, effective July 1, 2026. This is a procedural recognition measure with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryHB 709 allows the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to share digital photos or signatures (such as those on driver's licenses) with the Special Investigations Unit of Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development or its successor. The bill explicitly adds this unit to the list of authorized recipients, which previously included courts, criminal justice agencies, and driver license authorities. This change streamlines access to these records for Baltimore City's investigations without altering existing confidentiality rules or public access policies. The bill does not create new requirements or change how MVA records are generally handled.

Maddy summaryHB 1253 (Break STRIDE Act) changes how investor-owned gas companies recover costs for infrastructure projects. It repeals current rules allowing companies to add infrastructure costs to customer bills via surcharges and instead requires them to prove projects reduce leaks, improve safety, and are cost-effective before recovering costs. The bill also mandates 6 months' advance written notice to customers affected by construction. These changes apply only to investor-owned gas companies (not cooperatives) and take effect after a specified date.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 requires Maryland medical examiners to release the body of a deceased Muslim within 48 hours after completing an autopsy, if they receive specific notice confirming the individual's Muslim faith. It directly affects Muslim families seeking timely burial and medical examiners handling post-mortem procedures. The bill specifies five ways medical examiners can receive this notice: a deceased person's will, a document under §5-509, next of kin notification, confirmation from an imam or mosque, or proof of pre-arranged Muslim funeral arrangements. The law aims to align body release timelines with Muslim funeral traditions, which typically require burial within 24 hours of death. The requirement takes effect October 1, 2026.