Del. Elizabeth Embry

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force to study how Maryland can improve support for people returning to society after incarceration. The group includes government officials, legal representatives, and individuals with personal experience in the criminal justice system, such as former inmates and family members of those currently in prison. The Task Force will evaluate current reentry services, identify missing resources, and create a plan to form a new Division of Returning Citizens within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This proposed division would coordinate existing programs and expand access to housing, employment, socialization, and health services for individuals after their release.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law updates rules on how contraceptives are sold and allows registered nurses to provide certain nonprescription medications without a doctor's order. The bill removes criminal penalties for selling contraceptives through vending machines in schools and clarifies that only natural membrane condoms, not all nonlatex condoms, are banned from such machines. It also authorizes a committee to create a list of over-the-counter drugs and devices that registered nurses can dispense at local health departments. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms like "dispense" and "authorized prescriber" to guide how nurses handle these medications. These changes aim to improve access to reproductive health products and expand the role of nurses in public health settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City, creating a shared unit of the state park system focused on outdoor recreation and education. The park will include specific existing properties such as Leakin Park and the Gwynns Falls Trail, with a formal agreement defining the financial and operational roles of both the state and the city. To guide development, the law requires the state and city to conduct community surveys, hold focus group meetings, and create an advisory committee comprised of neighborhood, environmental, and historic preservation representatives. Additionally, the bill mandates a summer conservation jobs program for high school students and requires a detailed report to be submitted to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025, outlining suitable properties and funding needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for release proceedings for individuals committed to mental health facilities in Maryland. It ensures that discovery rules used in civil court cases also apply to these administrative hearings, allowing for a more thorough exchange of information between parties. The legislation also mandates that courts and the Department of Health promptly notify relevant parties when a violation of release conditions is reported. Additionally, it clarifies the burden of proof for applicants seeking changes to their release conditions and expands the court's authority to modify, extend, or terminate those conditions.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new funding programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based startups and university-led innovation projects. The first program offers $50,000 grants to startups located in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, while the second pilot program provides incentives for technology businesses founded by students or faculty at local universities. To qualify for the university program, participating schools must contribute up to $50,000 annually, and projects must focus on creating new businesses, commercializing products, or fostering inclusive entrepreneurial development. The legislation also removes a previous requirement for funding a telework assistance grant program and sets aside $1.5 million for the university pilot program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the authority to appoint a deputy clerk who can perform marriage ceremonies from the county administrative judge to the clerk of the circuit court in Maryland. Previously, the administrative judge designated these deputies, but under the new law, the clerk of the circuit court will make this appointment directly. The change applies to all counties in the state and allows designated deputy clerks to legally officiate weddings alongside judges and religious officials. The provision officially takes effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Prison Education Delivery Reform Commission in Maryland to study how education impacts the criminal justice system and to develop strategies for reducing recidivism. The commission will be composed of state officials, experts, community representatives, and individuals with prior experience in the correctional system, who will meet to gather public input and research best practices across all levels of education. Over a two-year period, the group is tasked with creating a data-driven policy framework that evaluates current workforce programs and identifies ways to improve employment outcomes for incarcerated individuals. The commission must submit an interim report by June 2025 and a final report by January 2026, after which the legislation will automatically expire.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law, known as the Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024, allows the state and private individuals to sue firearm companies for creating public nuisances if they knowingly sell or market products that cause harm to the public. The bill requires these industry members to implement strict controls to prevent sales to prohibited persons, such as convicted felons or straw purchasers, and to stop the theft or loss of firearms. Violations of these rules can lead to civil lawsuits seeking monetary damages, court orders to stop specific practices, and legal fees, without requiring proof that the company intended to break the law. Additionally, the act directs the Attorney General to study whether the state can legally require gun manufacturers to pay for the costs of crime prevention and victim compensation.