Sen. Shaneka Henson

Maddy summarySB 280, the *Judicial and Public Safety for Service Members Act*, updates Maryland law to ensure legal protections apply consistently to all uniformed service members (not just veterans) in judicial, criminal, family, and public safety matters. It revises definitions in key laws to replace "veteran" with "uniformed services" and expands the application of court procedures, corrections policies, criminal laws, family law, and public safety regulations to cover active-duty and reserve service members. The bill adds new provisions (e.g., in family law and public safety sections) to address service-related circumstances, such as deployment impacts on custody or safety protocols. This directly affects service members navigating Maryland’s legal system during active duty or in related legal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 511 requires Maryland's public senior higher education institutions (University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary's College) to create and post online plans supporting pregnant and parenting students by August 2026. The plans must include referrals to existing government programs like WIC, child care scholarships, Medicaid, and health insurance; information about adoption services; and accommodations such as priority class registration and flexible scheduling. These institutions must align their plans with federal anti-discrimination law (Title IX) and provide clear access to campus and community resources. The bill directly affects students enrolled at the covered institutions who are pregnant or have childcare responsibilities. It takes effect July 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the name of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate to "Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Incorporated" to qualify for an existing property tax credit in Anne Arundel County. It amends Maryland tax law to replace the previous organization name in the provision allowing county/municipal tax credits against property taxes for real property owned by this specific nonprofit. The credit applies to properties owned by the renamed organization, with local governing bodies setting the credit terms. The change affects only this organization's eligibility for the current tax credit program, not the credit's structure or scope. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, for taxable years after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 432, known as the "Expungement Reform Act of 2025," updates Maryland's laws concerning the expungement of criminal records, directly affecting individuals seeking to clear certain past convictions. The bill modifies the waiting periods for filing expungement petitions after a sentence is completed and expands the list of misdemeanor convictions eligible for expungement. It also requires courts to consider if restitution has been paid or if the person lacks the ability to pay before granting expungement. Finally, the bill prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search from displaying any reference to certain expunged records.

Maddy summarySB 131 authorizes Anne Arundel County or its municipalities to offer a property tax credit against personal property taxes for supermarkets that complete eligible construction (new stores or major renovations) in designated "food desert retail incentive areas." To qualify, supermarkets must meet specific criteria, including having major food departments, deriving over 50% of sales from food, and dedicating over 50% of floor space to food sales. The county must define food desert areas, and the credit cannot exceed the actual personal property tax owed, with local governments able to set additional limits or requirements. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, for taxable years after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 348 amends Maryland's criminal law to clarify and expand protections against surreptitious filming of people's private areas. It directly affects anyone who secretly films another person's genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast (below the areola) without consent in places where privacy is expected, such as residences, dressing rooms, or hotel rooms. Key changes include explicitly defining "private place" to include homes and adding specific examples like tanning rooms, while clarifying that "visual surveillance" covers camera use, mirrors, or direct observation. Violations are punishable by up to one year in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both, and victims gain a civil right to sue for damages and attorney fees.

Maddy summarySB 581 (Buddy's Law) increases the maximum compensatory damages for pet owners when a pet is intentionally or negligently injured or killed. It raises the cap from $10,000 to $25,000, covering veterinary costs and the pet’s fair market value before death. The law directly affects pet owners in Maryland and individuals liable for harming pets (e.g., through negligent pet care or animal control). It takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to domesticated pets, excluding livestock.

Maddy summarySB 181 (Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole) requires Maryland’s Parole Commission to consider an incarcerated person’s age when deciding parole eligibility, specifically including age in the assessment of "reasonable probability" of not reoffending. It also clarifies medical parole standards, defining "chronically debilitated" (e.g., severe dementia or permanent disability) and "terminal illness," and mandates that medical parole requests include a licensed medical professional’s evaluation. The bill requires the Commission to develop procedures for reviewing such requests and allows for a direct meeting between the incarcerated person and the Commission under certain medical circumstances. This directly affects older inmates (60+) or those with serious, non-improving medical conditions who are eligible for parole.

Maddy summarySB 307 increases the scholarship award for student members of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education from $8,000 to $15,000. This change applies to students who complete a full term on the board and can use the scholarship toward higher education costs. The bill amends Maryland's Education Code (Sections 3-2A-01 and 3-2A-07) to update the scholarship amount, effective June 1, 2025. It directly affects student board members by providing greater financial support for their education. The policy change is limited to the scholarship amount, with no other provisions altering board composition or compensation for other members.

Maddy summarySB 431, the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act, creates new programs to expand apprenticeships in Maryland. It allows the State Board of Plumbing to waive journey plumber license exams for those completing approved apprenticeships and authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive exams for other licenses after approved training. The bill establishes the Maryland Apprenticeship Incentive Pay Per Apprentice Program, which provides payments to employers for each apprentice they train, funded by a new nonlapsing special fund. These changes directly affect apprentices, employers offering training, and licensing boards by reducing barriers to entry and incentivizing employer participation in registered apprenticeship programs.