Sen. Anthony Muse

Maddy summarySB 106 modifies Maryland law to change how child support arrears lead to driver's license suspensions. It requires the Child Support Enforcement Administration to send written notice to parents with unpaid support (60+ days for non-commercial licenses, 120+ days for commercial licenses) before notifying the Motor Vehicle Administration. The bill adds protections: parents must be notified of their right to request an investigation into inaccuracies, employment impacts, or undue hardship before suspension, and they may receive a work-restricted license during the process. It also requires the Administration to seek court approval for suspensions if parents agree to a payment plan. The law aims to balance enforcement with due process for affected parents.

Maddy summarySB 74 proposes amending the Maryland Constitution to raise the mandatory retirement age for most judges from 70 to 75 years. This change directly affects judges serving in all courts except the District Court and Orphans' Courts (which have separate rules), including those in appellate courts and circuit courts. The bill modifies specific constitutional sections to replace "70" with "75" in provisions governing judicial tenure, requiring judges to retire upon reaching age 75 instead of 70. This is a substantive policy change to extend judicial service terms without altering election or retention processes.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law transfers the authority to appoint deputy clerks who can perform marriage ceremonies from county administrative judges to the clerks of the circuit court. Under the new rules, these designated deputy clerks, along with judges and authorized religious officials, are legally permitted to officiate weddings within the state. The change simplifies the administrative process by allowing the clerks themselves to select the deputy clerks rather than requiring a judge to make that designation. The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2024, and applies to all counties in Maryland.

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 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 Maryland bill requires that naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, be placed in the same location as automated external defibrillators within all public buildings. The State Emergency Medical Services Board, working with the Department of Health, will manage this initiative using existing funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund. To encourage participation, the law grants legal protection from lawsuits to building owners and individuals who provide or administer this naloxone in good faith. These changes aim to increase the availability of life-saving equipment and medication in public spaces to address both cardiac arrest and drug overdoses.

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 establishes a Workgroup on Health and Wellness in Prince George's County to study local health options and offer recommendations to county leaders. The group is made up of elected officials, representatives from local businesses and nonprofits, and health experts who will meet without pay but can receive travel reimbursement. Their main tasks include reviewing how to improve access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity, suggesting ways to reduce fast-food density, and exploring the creation of community wellness hubs. The Workgroup must submit its final report by December 1, 2025, to county executives, the governor, and state legislators. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2024, and will remain in force for two years before automatically ending.

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.