Sen. Will Smith

Maddy summarySB 743 limits the Maryland Transit Administration's (MTA) liability for injuries or property damage caused by its operations to $400,000 per claimant per incident. It directly affects individuals injured in MTA-related incidents (e.g., bus collisions or station accidents) who seek compensation through lawsuits. Key mechanisms include requiring written notice of a claim within one year of the incident, a denial or six-month waiting period before filing suit, and a three-year filing deadline after the injury occurs. The bill does not change MTA's operational duties but restricts financial exposure for tort claims.

Maddy summarySB 924 amends Maryland law to clarify the appointment process for the Director of Juvenile Justice Monitoring within the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman. The bill specifies that the Director is typically appointed by the Correctional Ombudsman for a four-year term, but requires Senate approval if the appointee has previously held the position. This change directly affects the Correctional Ombudsman’s appointment authority and the Senate’s role in confirming certain reappointments. The bill updates related sections of the Maryland Annotated Code to reflect these procedural changes and takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 949 establishes rules for operating fully autonomous vehicles (level 4 or 5 systems) on Maryland highways without a human driver. It requires these vehicles to achieve a "minimal risk condition" if the system fails, display manufacturer certification labels, and meet federal safety standards. Transportation companies using autonomous vehicles must submit law enforcement interaction plans (detailing communication, towing, and recognition protocols) and proof of security to the state administration. The bill directly affects manufacturers, ride-hailing services, and other ground transportation companies operating autonomous fleets in Maryland. It treats the automated driving system as the legal "operator" for compliance with vehicle laws and crash reporting.

Maddy summarySB 742 requires Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration to mandate biennial safety inspections for motor vehicles that are at least 6 model years old and registered under Title 13. It directly affects owners of older registered vehicles by requiring them to obtain an inspection certificate every two years. The bill specifies inspections must check brakes, steering, lights, seat belts, and other safety equipment, with certificates valid for 90 days. It also sets maximum fees for inspections, requiring a portion to cover administrative costs. The law would take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 627 modifies Maryland's vehicle laws to allow cyclists to proceed through stop signs without stopping under specific conditions. It directly affects bicycle riders approaching intersections on highways with two or fewer lanes for moving traffic. The key provision permits cyclists to cautiously turn or go through the intersection if they slow to a reasonable speed and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching vehicles that pose immediate danger. This exception applies to both the stop sign rule (Section 21-707) and general bicycle operation rules (Section 21-1202), replacing the standard stop requirement with these safety conditions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 346 establishes a refund program for beverage containers to boost recycling and reduce litter. It requires all redeemable containers sold in the state to display refund information, includes the refund value in both wholesale and retail prices, and mandates retailers to show this on customer receipts. Producers must register with the state, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage the program, while counties can create redemption facilities to help meet recycling targets. The law aims to increase container reuse and recycling rates, reduce pollution from discarded containers, and fund public water refill stations through a new grant program. This directly affects beverage producers, retailers, consumers, and local governments managing redemption sites.

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.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 380 creates a Police Recruitment and Retention Workgroup to investigate why fewer police officers are staying in Maryland law enforcement. The group will include representatives from the state legislature, the Department of State Police, various police associations, community organizations like the NAACP, and experts in human resources and policing. Members will examine specific factors such as salary levels, training requirements, and retirement rates, while also looking at successful strategies used in other states. The workgroup is tasked with designing a new apprenticeship program for high school students and will ultimately provide recommendations to address the decline in officer retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland laws regarding bail bonds specifically for the Seventh Judicial Circuit by repealing and amending existing statutes. It allows circuit courts to establish their own rules for bail bond terms, fees, and the qualifications of bail bondsmen, while also permitting defendants or private sureties to post full penalty amounts with a small deposit. The legislation clarifies that anyone acting as a surety must be approved by the court and properly licensed, and it outlines how courts can use collected fees and forfeited bonds to cover administrative expenses. Additionally, the bill modifies provisions related to property bonds, ensuring that agents authorized by property bondsmen can legally execute bonds secured by real estate.