Sen. Shelly Hettleman

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits detaining juveniles (under 18) in any facility where they could see, hear, or otherwise have contact with incarcerated adults. It applies to all juveniles awaiting trial, convicted, or held in custody for offenses tried in adult court. The law requires juveniles to be held in secure juvenile facilities unless temporarily held for up to 6 hours in an adult facility - while separated by sight/sound - pending transfer to a juvenile facility. Exceptions for capacity issues or safety risks remain but must be documented by the court.

Maddy summarySB 304 prevents Maryland auto insurers from raising premiums, adding fees, or removing discounts for private vehicle insurance when a driver has an accident with a free-roaming wild animal (like a deer) and wasn't at fault. It directly affects car insurance policyholders who experience such unavoidable collisions. The law specifically prohibits insurers from using these accident types as a reason to penalize customers through price increases or loss of discounts. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 251 creates the "Maryland Uniform Public Expression Protection Act" to protect individuals and groups from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP suits). The bill allows defendants in such cases - where a lawsuit targets communication about government actions or public issues - to file a "special motion" within 60 days to dismiss the case quickly. If filed, the court must pause all other proceedings while reviewing the motion, ensuring public speech on matters of public concern isn’t silenced by costly litigation. This applies to communications in government proceedings or regarding public issues, but excludes lawsuits by government entities or business-related disputes.

Maddy summarySB 20, the "Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act," modifies Maryland's domestic violence protective order process to require firearm surrender when abuse involves firearms or threats. It directly affects victims seeking protective orders, respondents (abusers) who possess firearms, and law enforcement handling these cases. Key provisions mandate petitioners to provide specific firearm details (make, model, location, and vehicle info) if firearms are alleged to be in the respondent's possession, and require courts to automatically order firearm surrender and license relinquishment in temporary protective orders when abuse involved firearm use, threats, or serious harm. This strengthens firearm safety measures during domestic violence proceedings without changing eligibility for protective orders.

Maddy summarySB 669 modifies Maryland's Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund to prioritize testing untested sexual assault evidence kits collected before October 1, 2020. The fund will now specifically provide resources for law enforcement agencies to test these backlog kits, fund the Attorney General's office to assist investigations, and support a statewide victim notification hotline operated by the Sexual Assault Coalition. Key provisions require the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to distribute annual funding until all pre-2020 kits are processed, with minimum funding levels unless federal grants cover the same purpose. The bill prohibits using the fund for the existing Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Tracking System. This directly affects victims of past sexual assaults, law enforcement agencies, and state offices handling sexual assault cases.

Maddy summarySB 599 requires Maryland's Governor to include specific annual funding amounts in the state budget for the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program. The bill mandates $3 million for fiscal year 2020, $4 million for 2021, and $5 million annually from 2022 through 2029. This funding directly supports local jurisdictions in establishing and expanding community-based behavioral health crisis response systems. At least one-third of the annual funds must be used for competitive grants to create or enhance mobile crisis teams, which provide immediate, on-site support for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. The program aims to strengthen community crisis response infrastructure through mandatory state funding.

Maddy summarySB 154 makes permanent the requirement that Maryland's Comptroller distribute $14 million annually from abandoned property funds to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. This fund, administered by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), directly supports legal representation for low-income renters facing eviction across the state. The bill ensures this $14 million distribution continues each year (starting fiscal year 2025) from proceeds of abandoned property sales under Commercial Law, replacing a temporary provision. It also terminates the related Eviction Access Task Force on a specific date, streamlining the program's operation.

Maddy summarySB 602 requires Maryland county school boards to publish online a list of special education service delivery models available for both public school students and children with disabilities whose parents choose private schools (not those placed by public agencies). This list must include all models used within the school system and those provided specifically to privately-placed students. The bill mandates clear online disclosure to increase transparency for parents making education decisions. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Maryland's Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to honor former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. It updates the program's official name throughout state law to "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program" without changing the program's structure, funding, or operations. The renaming applies to all references in Maryland's Natural Resources and State Government codes, including funding provisions and program administration details. The program - administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and focused on environmental conservation projects - remains unchanged in its purpose and implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows up to five top-ranking officers in Baltimore County and Baltimore City nonprofit volunteer emergency medical services organizations (with commercial ambulance licenses) to equip their personally owned vehicles with red or red-and-white lights. These lights may only be used while traveling to or at the scene of an emergency. The law modifies Maryland vehicle code to permit this specific use, replacing existing restrictions on non-emergency vehicle lighting. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.