Sen. Nick Charles

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to reduce gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who will partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence, to develop and implement prevention strategies. Key actions include creating a state plan by May 2025, offering training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations, sharing data across jurisdictions, and promoting evidence-based initiatives. Funding for the center will be included in the state's annual budget starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law strengthens penalties for individuals who solicit minors or law enforcement officers posing as minors to engage in illegal sexual acts. The bill defines "solicit" broadly to include requests made in person, over the phone, via mail, or through any electronic means like computers and the internet. It makes it a felony to encourage a minor or their parent to participate in activities that would otherwise be unlawful, such as producing or viewing child pornography or engaging in sadomasochistic abuse. Convictions carry prison sentences of up to ten years for a first offense and up to twenty years for repeat offenders, along with substantial fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program to help fund security operations in specific areas of the state. The program targets neighborhoods with high concentrations of bars, hookah lounges, or live entertainment venues that experience heavy foot traffic and frequent police calls for service. Eligible recipients include community organizations, nonprofits, and local governments, which must apply through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The program is financed by a special state fund that will receive up to $1 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026, with money used solely for grants and administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based start-up companies in the Baltimore area. The first program provides grants of up to $50,000 to startups founded by students or faculty at local universities, requiring that at least 20% of the funds be used to hire third-party consultants for planning and technical assistance. The second program, a pilot initiative, offers incentives to eligible universities to foster entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and commercialization projects, particularly those involving artificial intelligence or machine learning in healthcare and biotechnology. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous mandated appropriation for a telework assistance grant program and requires annual budget allocations for these new innovation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman within the Office of the Attorney General to investigate complaints and administrative actions involving the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Department of Juvenile Services. The new unit will have the authority to conduct reviews, refer matters for criminal or disciplinary action, and subpoena testimony or evidence, while also protecting employees who provide information from reprisals. Funding for the office will come from a portion of savings generated by prison population reductions, as determined by the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board. Additionally, the bill transfers the existing Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit into this new ombudsman office and creates an advisory board to oversee its operations.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law extends the time limit for prosecuting sexual extortion and stalking cases, allowing authorities to file charges within five and ten years respectively. It also establishes that these crimes can be prosecuted at any time without a deadline, while permitting a special review process for their sentencing. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals convicted of these offenses are eligible for a specific type of appellate review and ensures that intimate images used as evidence remain confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines specific types of small-scale electricity generators as exempt from the requirement to obtain a state Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. It directly affects owners of facilities that build backup power systems for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and data centers, as well as those installing small solar arrays. The legislation allows these projects to proceed without the usual regulatory approvals if they produce no more than 14 megawatts of power and include safety features that prevent electricity from flowing back into the main grid during outages. Additionally, the law adjusts how income tax revenue is calculated for corporations operating certain data centers.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates laws regarding street racing and exhibition driving by increasing penalty points and clarifying prohibited behaviors. It assigns eight points to drivers convicted of racing or exhibition driving on public highways, raising this to twelve points if the activity causes serious bodily injury. The legislation also formally defines exhibition driving as dangerous actions like skidding, swerving, or carrying passengers in unauthorized areas, making these acts illegal on any highway or public property. While maintaining existing fines and jail terms, the bill introduces specific defenses allowing drivers to argue they acted reasonably for safety or were participating in a permitted parade.