Sen. Chris West

Maddy summarySB 115 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to partner with Virginia to obtain data on Maryland residents who improperly register vehicles in Virginia. This data will be added to a searchable database accessible to state and local agencies for issuing automated speed enforcement citations. The bill increases penalties for violations recorded by speed cameras on improperly registered vehicles, raising maximum fines to $1,250 (up from $425 for standard cases). It also mandates that owners receive specific notice if their vehicle is improperly registered in Virginia and recorded speeding. The law directly affects Maryland residents who register vehicles in Virginia to avoid Maryland registration fees.

Maddy summarySB 66, titled "Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel - Increased Penalties (Jamari's Law)," aims to raise criminal penalties for cases where a person causes death through negligent or reckless operation of a vehicle or vessel. It directly affects drivers, operators, or individuals responsible for vehicular or maritime incidents resulting in manslaughter. The bill’s key provision increases the severity of sentencing for these offenses, though specific penalty levels are not detailed in the provided text. This legislation is currently pre-filed for the 2025 session with a scheduled hearing in January 2026.

Maddy summarySB 669 modifies Maryland's Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund to prioritize testing untested sexual assault evidence kits collected before October 1, 2020. The fund will now specifically provide resources for law enforcement agencies to test these backlog kits, fund the Attorney General's office to assist investigations, and support a statewide victim notification hotline operated by the Sexual Assault Coalition. Key provisions require the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to distribute annual funding until all pre-2020 kits are processed, with minimum funding levels unless federal grants cover the same purpose. The bill prohibits using the fund for the existing Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Tracking System. This directly affects victims of past sexual assaults, law enforcement agencies, and state offices handling sexual assault cases.

Maddy summarySB 956 requires insurance carriers to pay brokers the same commission rate for selling Medicare supplement policies during a guaranteed issue period (when seniors can switch plans without medical underwriting) as for sales during an open enrollment period (standard enrollment time). It directly affects Medicare supplement insurance brokers and the insurance companies that pay them commissions. The key provision mandates identical commission rates regardless of when the sale occurs, eliminating potential disparities in broker compensation. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 455 allows licensed security guard agencies in Maryland to apply for the appointment of special police officers to protect property owned or leased by their clients. This directly affects security companies and their clients (such as businesses or property owners), expanding eligibility beyond existing categories like government entities or schools. The bill requires applicants to complete 80 hours of approved training covering criminal law, constitutional procedures, and use of force. It amends Maryland’s Public Safety law to explicitly include security agencies as qualifying applicants under section 3-303(a)(5).

Maddy summarySB 533 establishes a one-year-and-one-day deadline for Maryland law enforcement agencies to file administrative charges related to police misconduct complaints, starting from when the agency becomes aware of the incident. This applies to most cases, including those not requiring an administrative committee review, and ensures timely action on complaints from the public. For incidents tied to ongoing criminal investigations, the deadline extends until the criminal case concludes or the prosecutor declines charges. The bill aims to prevent indefinite delays in holding officers accountable while aligning administrative processes with criminal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 590, titled the "Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act," updates Maryland's penalties for reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding 30+ mph over the limit (now a 6-point offense), reckless driving (max $1,000 fine or 60 days jail), and negligent driving (max $750 fine). The bill adds specific traffic violations - like running red lights, tailgating, or passing in no-passing zones - as elements that can trigger "aggressive driving" charges when committed in combination (two or more offenses during a single driving event). Key changes include removing outdated sections, renumbering penalty provisions, and clarifying that aggressive driving convictions carry a maximum $1,000 fine. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 443 reclassifies transporting regulated firearms into Maryland for unlawful sale or trafficking from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill directly affects dealers or individuals who move firearms into the state intending to illegally sell or traffic them. Key provisions increase penalties: violators now face up to 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both, instead of misdemeanor penalties. This amendment to Maryland's Public Safety Code (Section 5-140) takes effect October 1, 2025. The law specifically targets firearm trafficking networks operating across state lines.

Maddy summarySB 606 clarifies tenants' right to first refusal when a landlord sells a rental property. It requires landlords to give tenants 30 days to match a third-party offer if the sale price is at least 10% lower than the tenant's previous offer or if the landlord receives a third-party offer without public sale. Tenants must submit a written offer matching the third-party price within the 30-day window, and landlords must provide specific written notice detailing the offer price and deadlines. The bill also specifies that liability for non-compliance attaches only to the landlord, not the property itself. This applies to residential rental properties in Maryland under amended Section 8-119 of the Maryland Annotated Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Maryland's Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to honor former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. It updates the program's official name throughout state law to "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program" without changing the program's structure, funding, or operations. The renaming applies to all references in Maryland's Natural Resources and State Government codes, including funding provisions and program administration details. The program - administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and focused on environmental conservation projects - remains unchanged in its purpose and implementation.