2025 Maryland General Assembly Update

Week Four: Child Protection Bill Hearing, Blueprint Update, Law Enforcement Bills, Eastern Shore Delegation Updates, Locals in Annapolis

CHILD PROTECTION BILL HEARING

Senate Bill 25, a priority child protection bill that would help ensure the safety and well-being of children involved in child custody court proceedings involving child abuse or domestic violence allegations, was heard by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Tuesday. I am the sponsor of this legislation.

“Courts follow the recommendations of the custody evaluator in over 90 percent of custody cases. After hearing from parents, advocates, and legal child custody experts over the past five years, it has become clear that there is a distinct need for custody evaluators to have consistent qualifications and training before being appointed or approved to one of these most sensitive court cases. This bill is all about putting the child first.”

Between 2008 and 2023, 21 Maryland children have been killed when divorce, separation, custody visitation, child support or court-involvement is a factor, including five of those children involved in a family court-related proceeding. Each year 58,000 children nationwide are estimated to be court-ordered into visitation or custody with a dangerous parent.

“Putting in statute that Maryland’s child custody evaluators will be qualified and trained helps protect children in these most sensitive and potentially dangerous child custody cases involving allegations of child abuse and domestic violence.”

This legislation is supported by Child Justice, the Cricket Center in Worcester County, family law firms such as the Law Firm of Sharon M. Donahue in Ocean City, the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland, the Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, the Center for Hope, One Mom’s Battle, the Maryland Chapter for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies across Maryland, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office and State’s Attorneys across Maryland, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, the Coalition to Protect Maryland’s Children, and protective parents from across the State.

Relief for Security Guards Working at Cannabis Businesses

I testified in strong support of SB 299, which would eliminate an unnecessary redundancy in statute which requires security guards to submit fingerprints and background checks to the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) although already certified by the Maryland State Police (MSP).

“This redundancy of both MSP and MCA regulating the security guard industry was originally brought to my attention by Evan Avnet, President of the Maryland Investigators and Security Association (MISA) who operates Tactical American Security Consulting in Salisbury.” (left)

MISA President Evan Avnet testified that “no other industry in Maryland is subjected to dual licensure by two separate agencies for performing the same function. This re-licensing requirement… imposes unnecessary costs on security agencies for services they are already licensed to perform. These redundant costs… create a prohibitive financial burden.”

Under SB 299, the Maryland Cannabis Administration would use proof of MSP security guard certification to verify that the perspective agent is eligible to work on the premises of a cannabis licensee or registrant. The Maryland Cannabis Administration supports SB 299.

Blueprint Education Plan Update

The Senate Education, Energy, and Environment (EEE) Committee held a briefing on the implementation of the Blueprint education plan on January 29^th with presentations from the Maryland State Board of Education, the Accountability and Implementation Board, and Maryland County Superintendents.

As a member of the EEE Committee and serving on the Education Subcommittee, during the briefing, I highlighted the 30 plus “course correction” recommendations that the Public Schools Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM) recently put forward for implementation of the Blueprint Education plan.

“These recommendations come from our local superintendents, those on the frontlines, who understand the challenges with the Blueprint, and their recommendations should be prioritized.”

The Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium, made up of the nine Eastern Shore school superintendents, presented the PSSAM recommendations at the January 31^st Eastern Shore Delegation meeting.

“I want to commend the leadership and hard work of all our Shore superintendents, and encourage you to continue to prioritize your Blueprint recommendations as we begin legislative hearings and to continue to give us examples of the need to increase local flexibility in implementing the Blueprint. One size does not fit all.”

Republican Caucus Challenges Property Assessments Process

In a letter sent January 28, 2025 to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Republicans in the Senate of Maryland requested clarity on several aspects of the real property assessment process. The Senate Republicans noted that recent increases in residential and commercial property valuations appear to greatly exceed normal year to year deviations.

“We need to know how the assessment process is currently being conducted and what factors have contributed to the significant increases in property valuations, some of which have increased by 35 percent. Our constituents are already doing everything they can to live within their means, and this is an unfair, substantial increase that has taken so many local residents by surprise.”

All homeowners receive a Notice of Assessment every three years from SDAT that shows the old market value and the new market value, which is the new appraisal estimate of both land and buildings. The new fair market value may be appealed to the SDAT supervisor in Worcester, Wicomico, or Somerset. The notice should include an appeal form and instructions that must be filed with the local assessment office or completed online within 45 days of the date of the notice. If your appeal is denied, you have the option and are encouraged to file an appeal with your local Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board.

Renewals of Handgun Permits for Retired Law Enforcement

Senate Bill 180, which would extend the expiration and renewal periods of handgun carry permits for law enforcement officers who retired in good standing, unanimously passed the Senate floor on Thursday. I am a primary cosponsor of SB 180.

“Retired officers have served Maryland with integrity, and many continue to serve their communities through volunteer work or by returning to the workforce in a different capacity. This reasonable extension of the renewal period is a straightforward way to show our appreciation for their past law enforcement service.”

SB 292 Bill Limits Law Enforcement and Weakens Public Safety

CONCERNS OVER INCREASING UTILITY COSTS

We as Marylanders are experiencing skyrocketing electric rates. Consider the cause as you read Senator Steve Hershey's column in the Baltimore Sun.

"The foundation of Maryland’s skyrocketing electricity costs can be traced to a series of legislative initiatives passed by Democrats in the General Assembly. These laws, often crafted in coordination with radical environmental groups such as the League of Conversation Voters, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Sierra Club, have forced utilities to spend billions on expensive mandates — costs that ultimately fall on ratepayers." 

LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS

CAROZZA BILL HEARINGS STILL COMING UP

SB0588 (Fairness in Girls' Sports Act)

SB0675 Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

BILL HEARINGS SCHEDULED IN EEE COMMITTEE WEEK FIVE

(ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY-EDUCATION)

SB0023 Natural Resources - State Boat Act - Auctioneers

SB0053 Natural Resources - Commercial Crab Harvest - Start Time

SB0073 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program - Renaming

SB0076 Tidal Fish Licenses - Oyster Authorizations - Administrative Penalties

SB0087 Fisheries - Striped Bass or Rockfish - Juvenile Survey

SB0100 Natural Resources - Pursuing Wounded Deer After Legal Hunting Hours - Authorization

SB0103 Boating Accidents - Reporting Requirement - Property Damage

SB0128 Hunter Safety Education - Issuance of Identification Number

SB0186 Commercial Blue & Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License - Prohibited regs

SB0258 Natural Resources - Fishing Licenses and Stamps - Alterations

SB0272 Prince George's County - Natural Resources - Sunday Deer Hunting & Archery Hunting Safety Zones

SB0282 Recreational Equality for Service Members Act

SB0301 Natural Resources - Removal and Storage of Abandoned or Sunken Vessels - Funding

SB0335 Natural Resources - Canada Geese - Bag Limits

SB0024 Annotated Code - Terminology - Clergy and Churches, Faith Institutions, and Places of Worship

SB0057 Funeral Establishments, Crematories, and Reduction Facilities - Disposition of Unclaimed Remains - Veterans

(Jointly assigned to EEE and FIN)

SB0145 Public Information Act - Personnel Records of Elected Officials and Joint Ethics Committee Records

SB0153 Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and House Environment and Transportation Committee - Code References - Revisions

SB0164 Terminology and Obsolete References - Maryland State Firefighters Association and Related Terms

SB0172 Maryland Veterans Trust - Board of Trustees - Membership

SB0175 Public Safety - Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing for Fuel Gas Piping Systems - Requirements and Prohibitions

SB0182 Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program - Eligibility - Family Members of Veterans

SB0237 State Government - Veterans - Burial at State Veterans' Cemeteries (Burial Equity Act)

SB0296 Public Information Act – Public Access Ombudsman – Delegation of Powers

SB0297 Sign Language Interpreters - Licensing Requirement

Click on the Bill Number to go directly to its text. We welcome your comments.

EEE BILLS TO WATCH

SB0234  Homeless Shelter Certification Program - Establishment

At the committee hearing for SB234, I asked for more details on what specific considerations can be expected by our churches and faith-based organizations. on the Shore and state-wide who are often the primary or only life-line providing essential life-saving services.

This e-blast is sent to give you the most up-to-date information we have on bills in my assigned EEE committee. There are many other committee and issue briefings, floor sessions, testimony I give to other committees, meetings with constituents and visitors in Annapolis, and receptions taking place all week. As the session moves along we will continue to summarize legislation and events for you.

IN SERVICE,

MARY BETH

By Authority: Friends of Mary Beth Carozza, James R. Bergey, Jr., CPA, Treasurer