Sen. Jill Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Baltimore City Charter to allow the city government to pass laws that might conflict with the Police Commissioner's authority, provided a specific charter amendment is approved by voters. The change removes a previous restriction that prevented city ordinances or official actions from hindering the Police Commissioner's powers. However, this new rule only becomes active on January 1, 2025, if voters approve a separate charter amendment regarding the Police Commissioner's appointment and duties at the 2024 general election. If that voter-approved amendment fails to pass, the changes in this bill will not take effect and the original restrictions will remain in place.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the rules for how security guards must report the use of force, specifically clarifying that certain medical interventions in healthcare settings do not count as use of force requiring a report. It mandates that employers of security guards at healthcare facilities submit a weekly summary of specific emergency codes, such as Code Green and Code Purple, to the Secretary of State Police. The law also requires detailed incident reports within 48 hours for actual uses of force, including information on the type of force, location, and demographics of those involved, while excluding protected health information from these records. Additionally, the bill adjusts the effective date of these reporting requirements to January 1, 2025.

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.