Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher

Maddy summarySB 545 amends Maryland's criminal code to prohibit possessing or viewing images depicting minors in sexual conduct, sadomasochistic abuse, or sexual excitement - whether actual or computer-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real children under 16. It specifically targets material that looks like real children (excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings) and adds penalties: up to 5 years for first-time possession/viewing (misdemeanor) and up to 10 years for repeat offenses (felony). The bill includes exceptions for parents possessing non-exploitative images of their own children and allows a defense if someone destroys the material or reports it to police. These changes update sections 11-207, 11-208, and add new section 11-208.2 to the Maryland Annotated Code.

Maddy summarySB 413 prohibits consumer contracts from including shorter time limits for filing lawsuits than Maryland law requires. It directly affects consumers and businesses entering contracts for personal, family, or household goods/services (like cell phone plans or home services), making any such short time limit clause void and unenforceable. The bill ensures courts cannot uphold these clauses or allow defendants to use them as a defense, requiring all consumer contracts to comply with Maryland’s standard statute of limitations. This applies only to contracts signed on or after October 1, 2025, with no retroactive effect.

Maddy summarySB 772 expands eligibility for Maryland's Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program to include veterans' dependents (spouses or children) who were eligible for Chapter 35 veterans' educational benefits under federal law. It adds a new category to the program's eligibility criteria (section (d)(2)(vii)) and simplifies verification by allowing school officials to confirm Chapter 35 eligibility if applicants cannot obtain the required federal certificate (section (f)(1)). This change directly affects dependents of veterans with service-connected disabilities who previously faced barriers proving eligibility. The bill does not alter scholarship amounts or existing eligibility groups but makes the application process more accessible for this specific population.

Maddy summarySB 957 amends Maryland law to allow tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations to operate funeral homes under the same licensing rules as for-profit corporations. It updates the definition of "corporation" to explicitly include such nonprofits (Section 7-101(f)), enabling the State Board of Morticians to issue and renew funeral director licenses to these organizations if they meet standard requirements (Section 7-309). The bill does not change existing fees, application processes, or operational rules - nonprofits must still submit applications, pay fees, and employ licensed staff. This change directly affects community-focused, non-profit funeral services seeking formal licensing under Maryland's current regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Maryland public colleges and school districts to appoint a Title VI Coordinator by July 1, 2025. These coordinators must ensure compliance with federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in education programs. The law also allows individuals to file discrimination complaints directly with a school’s coordinator (instead of only with the State Superintendent), and mandates coordinators to handle complaints, provide training, and maintain records.

Maddy summarySB 943 requires petitioners in Maryland domestic violence cases to provide detailed information about respondents' firearms (e.g., make/model, storage locations, access points) when seeking protective orders. This affects both victims seeking protection and alleged abusers facing firearm surrender requirements. The bill also establishes a Task Force to study firearm use in domestic violence situations. These changes aim to improve safety planning by giving courts more specific details about firearm risks.

Maddy summarySB 709 prohibits intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while hiding your face with a mask or device to conceal your identity, specifically when it causes reasonable fear for the other person's physical safety. It makes this a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine for a first offense, increasing to 180 days or $1,000 for repeat violations. The law includes specific exemptions allowing mask-wearing for holidays, occupational safety, weather protection, artistic events, emergencies, health precautions, or religious practices. This bill directly affects individuals who use face concealment to intimidate others, adding a new criminal provision to Maryland's law.

Maddy summarySB 650 requires individuals convicted three or more times of a "domestically related crime" (including domestic violence offenses or crimes against someone with whom they had a recent sexual relationship) to register with their county sheriff within 10 days of release, probation, or a suspended sentence. The registry, maintained by Maryland’s Department of Public Safety, will include registrants’ names, addresses, crime details, and photos, and remain public online, by phone, and in person. Registration lasts 15 years from the latest conviction or release date, extending by 20 years per additional conviction. Individuals may seek court exemptions if convictions are overturned, pardoned, or if a circuit court grants relief under Section 11-1207. This bill directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders, not new offenses or general public safety measures.

Maddy summarySB 412 increases the state income tax deduction for contributions to Maryland's 529 college savings plans. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, the annual deduction limit rises from $2,500 to $4,850 per beneficiary for contributions to the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust, College Investment Plan, or Broker-Dealer College Investment Plan. Unused deduction amounts can now be carried forward for up to 10 years to offset future tax liability. This change directly affects Maryland residents contributing to these specific 529 plans who claim the state tax deduction. The bill modifies existing tax code sections to implement these updated deduction limits and carryover rules.

Maddy summarySB 584 would repeal Maryland’s current limits on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Currently, these limits cap awards at $500,000 (with annual increases) for personal injury claims and restrict wrongful death awards to 150% of that amount. The bill removes all such caps, allowing juries to award unlimited noneconomic damages - such as compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, or loss of companionship - without financial constraints. This change would directly affect plaintiffs in lawsuits involving injuries or deaths caused by negligence, as well as their families seeking compensation for non-monetary losses. The repeal applies prospectively, meaning it only affects cases arising on or after October 1, 2025.