Sen. William Folden

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates election laws to require voters to present specific proof of identity at polling places before receiving a regular ballot. To qualify, a voter must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if that is unavailable, a non-government photo ID along with a current document like a utility bill or bank statement that lists their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge will instead issue a provisional ballot for later verification. The legislation also reinforces existing rules that prohibit anyone from suggesting how a voter should mark their ballot and restricts who can assist voters with disabilities or language barriers.

Maddy summarySB 545 prohibits land surveyors and property line surveyors from conducting surveys on private property during Maryland's deer firearms hunting season without the property owner's written permission. The bill amends Maryland law to require this written consent during the specific hunting season outlined in the Natural Resources Article. Violations could result in fines up to $500, imprisonment for up to six months, or additional penalties of up to $5,000 per violation imposed by the licensing board. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting surveying professionals and property owners during hunting season.

Maddy summarySB 454 requires school resource officers (SROs) to carry firearms while present on the premises of the school to which they are assigned. This bill amends Maryland law (specifically Section 7-1508 of the Education Article) to mandate this requirement, directly affecting all SROs working in public schools. The key provision replaces prior language with a clear directive that SROs must carry firearms on school grounds, while also maintaining existing training requirements focused on de-escalation, disability awareness, and implicit bias. The bill does not change who qualifies as an SRO but specifies the firearm-carrying obligation during school operations.

Maddy summarySB 536 repeals the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies in Maryland to notify law enforcement about certain violations of home detention conditions. Currently, agencies must notify law enforcement within 24 hours for most violations, 1 hour for equipment tampering, or immediately for entering prohibited areas. The bill removes this law enforcement notification obligation while keeping the requirement to notify the court. This change directly affects private monitoring agencies and the designated law enforcement agencies in Baltimore City or the relevant county, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 566 updates Maryland's historic vehicle registration rules by raising the minimum age requirement from 1999 model year (25 years old as of 2024) to 2001 model year (25 years old as of 2026). It requires owners to certify vehicles won't be used for daily commuting, commercial purposes, or employment, while maintaining exemptions from vehicle inspections and emissions testing. Registration fees increase to $55.50 annually after July 2025, with a $50 one-time fee for vehicles 60+ years old (non-transferable). The bill automatically reinstates historic registrations suspended due to this age change, effective July 1, 2026, and applies only prospectively.

Maddy summarySB 330 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to remove certain investigation records from police officers' personnel files three years after specific findings: when an administrative committee decides not to charge an officer, or a trial board finds misconduct allegations "unfounded" or "exonerated." It directly affects police officers whose misconduct complaints were resolved without administrative action. The bill amends Maryland's Public Safety laws to mandate this removal, replacing prior rules that prohibited expungement or destruction of such records. Key provisions specify the exact timeline (3 years post-determination) and define terms like "unfounded" (allegations unsupported by fact) and "exonerated" (officer acted lawfully). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 44 would require forfeiture of pension benefits for public employees convicted of specific crimes committed while performing job duties. It applies to members of systems like police, teachers, correctional officers, and judges' pensions. The bill establishes procedures for courts to review requests for partial benefit payments within one year of conviction, considering factors like crime severity and financial need. It also protects existing court orders for spousal support or child custody from being altered by the forfeiture.

Maddy summarySB 302 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest an abortion-inducing drug when the person knows or believes the other is pregnant and does so without consent, through fraud/coercion, or force/threat of force. The bill directly affects individuals who would cause others to take such drugs under these specific conditions. Key provisions define "abortion-inducing drug" and establish that violations constitute a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to conduct occurring after that date.

Maddy summarySB 106 would repeal Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, ending the requirement for biennial emissions tests and equipment inspections for most vehicles. This directly affects Maryland vehicle owners (primarily those with vehicles from 1977 model year onward) who currently must comply with the program. The bill removes all legal provisions related to the program, including testing requirements, waiver processes for repair costs, and certification rules for repair facilities. It does not create new requirements but eliminates the existing mandate under Maryland law. This repeal would end the state-level enforcement of emissions inspections, though federal requirements may still apply.

Maddy summarySB 51 requires Maryland county school boards to install video cameras in all self-contained special education classrooms starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with cameras recording all areas except bathrooms and changing spaces during school hours. It mandates clear notice to parents and students, limits video storage to six months (or one year if used in complaints), and restricts access to authorized personnel like school administrators or law enforcement. The bill also requires concealing student identities in recordings unrelated to incidents and prohibits using cameras to monitor staff performance. This directly affects county school boards, special education students, and their families by establishing strict privacy and usage rules for classroom monitoring.