Sen. Johnny Mautz

Maddy summarySB 300 creates a specific felony offense for the theft of a handgun in Maryland, separate from general theft statutes. It directly affects anyone who steals a handgun or knowingly possesses one they believe was stolen. The bill amends the criminal law to establish that stealing a handgun automatically qualifies as a felony, regardless of the handgun's value, with penalties ranging from 5 years to 20 years in prison and restitution requirements based on the handgun's value. This replaces the standard theft thresholds (like the $1,500 minimum for other property) and applies strict penalties for handgun theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies theft of firearms as a felony in Maryland, making it punishable under existing felony theft penalties regardless of the firearm's value. It directly affects individuals who steal firearms by subjecting them to felony charges instead of potential misdemeanor charges under current law. The key mechanism is amending Maryland's theft statute (Section 7-104) to explicitly include firearms in the felony classification, removing a prior exemption that allowed firearm theft to be treated as a misdemeanor if the value was below $1,500.

Maddy summarySB 112 makes it illegal to intentionally cause physical injury to a sports official (umpire, referee, or judge) while they are officiating a sporting event. This specifically adds sports officials to the list of protected individuals under Maryland’s second-degree assault law, classifying such assaults as misdemeanors (not felonies, unlike assaults against police or first responders). The bill also allows police to make warrantless arrests for this specific assault type if they have probable cause. It amends Maryland’s Criminal Law Article § 3-203(c)(2)(IV) and Criminal Procedure Article § 2-203(b)(12) to implement these changes. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the legal definition of practicing audiology to clarify what actions audiologists are authorized to perform. It explicitly includes the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of hearing and balance conditions, as well as the fitting and management of hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. The legislation also specifies that audiology practice covers certain ear examinations and non-surgical procedures like removing earwax or ordering medical tests. Conversely, the bill clearly states that audiology does not include performing surgery or operating X-ray equipment. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and aim to provide clearer guidelines for the licensure and regulation of audiologists in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates alcohol licensing rules in Wicomico County to allow Class B restaurant license holders to buy liquor for resale from licensed wholesalers, in addition to county dispensaries. It also clarifies regulations for Class 9 limited distilleries, permitting them to sell their products at retail and conduct guided tours while restricting production volumes and prohibiting ownership of other distilleries. By repealing and reenacting specific sections of the state's alcohol code, the legislation streamlines how restaurants and small-scale distilleries operate within the county.