Welcome to the first legislative alert of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session! This week, several important bills are being heard in committee—bills that impact safety, security, and autonomy for survivors across Maryland.

These hearings are your opportunity to make a difference. Below, you’ll find a summary of this week’s key legislation, including why it matters and how you can take action by urging committee members to vote favorably.

Why Your Advocacy Matters:

• Understand the Issues: Each bill represents a critical step toward justice, safety, and equity.
• Raise Your Voice: Legislators rely on their constituents to guide decisions—your voice is powerful.
• Drive Change: Advocacy during these 90 days makes a lasting impact on survivors’ lives.

We will provide updates on these bills and others we are working on as session progresses. In the meantime, don’t forget to let your legislators know about what issues matter most to you! 

Wednesday January 15th

SB154: Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund

Action Needed: The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee will hear this bill on 1/15 at 10:30 AM.

Email committee members today to urge a favorable vote on SB154 to ensure tenants have a fair chance in eviction proceedings.

What It Does: SB154 makes sure $14 million is permanently set aside every year to help tenants get legal representation in eviction cases. It also directs money from abandoned property to this fund and confirms the success of the program by ending the temporary task force overseeing it.

Why It Matters: SB154 makes sure $14 million is permanently set aside every year to help tenants get legal representation in eviction cases. It also directs money from abandoned property to this fund and confirms the success of the program by ending the temporary task force overseeing it.

SB167 Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP)

Action Needed: The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear this bill on 1/15 at 12 PM.

Email committee members today to urge a favorable vote on SB167 and help protect free speech and survivors’ rights.

What It Does: SB167 strengthens Maryland’s protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP suits), which are used to intimidate and silence survivors, whistleblowers, and advocates through costly and time-consuming legal battles. This bill ensures these harmful lawsuits can be dismissed quickly and won’t stand in the way of free speech or justice.

Why It Matters: SLAPP suits are often used to silence survivors who speak out about abuse or misconduct, creating fear and discouraging others from coming forward. SB167 helps protect survivors’ voices, amplifying accountability and promoting justice. 

Thursday January 16th

SB142 Marriage- Confidential Communication

Action Needed: The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear this bill on 1/16 at 1 PM.

Email committee members today to urge a favorable vote on SB142 to empower survivors and protect their rights.

What It Does: SB142 lets a spouse—or former spouse—choose to share private communications in court if their partner is charged with a crime against them. This ensures survivors can use important evidence, like an admission or apology, to support their case and seek justice.

Why It Matters: Right now, abusers can block survivors from testifying about key conversations by claiming spousal privilege. SB142 gives survivors the power to decide what’s best for them, helping them take control and hold their abuser accountable.

SB146 Criminal Procedure- Admission of Out-of-Court Statements- Assault in the Second Degree

Action Needed: The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear this bill on 1/16 at 1 PM.

Email committee members today to urge a favorable vote on SB146 to strengthen protections for survivors.

What It Does: SB146 allows out-of-court statements to be used as evidence in second-degree assault cases if the abuser’s actions—like threats or intimidation—kept the survivor from testifying. This closes a gap in the law to make sure vital evidence isn’t left out.



Why It Matters: Survivors of domestic violence often face threats or manipulation from their abuser, making it unsafe to testify. SB146 ensures that even when survivors can’t be in court, their voices are still heard, helping hold abusers accountable and support justice.

SB61 Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance- Authorized Interception of Oral Communications- Cellular Telephones and Security Cameras

Action Needed: The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear this bill on 1/16 at 1 PM.

Email committee members today to urge a favorable vote on SB61 to modernize surveillance laws and ensure clarity for lawful recordings.

What It Does: SB61 updates Maryland’s wiretapping and surveillance laws to make it lawful for individuals to record oral communications in public when the speaker should reasonably expect to be overheard or recorded. It also allows the use of security cameras or other devices installed on private property to record oral communications on that property, ensuring these recordings comply with the law.

Why It Matters: By clarifying when and where recordings are lawful, this bill balances privacy with the need for accountability in public and private spaces. For survivors of harassment or abuse, lawful recordings—such as those captured by security cameras—can serve as critical evidence in seeking justice. SB61 empowers survivors and promotes safety through equitable legal protections.

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