Maryland lawmakers cleared the March 23 crossover deadline, advancing several bills from one chamber to another for final committee hearings and votes by April 13. Bills that have stalled in committees may still pass but need to go through additional administrative approval for further action. MSBA has advocated on several key bills to support and protect the profession this session, through direct outreach and with the steady support of our members through MSBA Sections and Committees.
Here is the status of priority bills that impact the legal profession.
*Note: Bill statuses continue to change as the session continues. MSBA will provide a full report in the coming weeks.
Security and Access
Court Security—Minimum Standards: Both chambers approved bills to establish minimum adequate security standards for all courthouses in Maryland, requiring responsible security entities to make best efforts to have at least one security officer present in each courtroom for criminal, family, or juvenile matters, two officers for proceedings involving incarcerated individuals or those likely to be taken into custody, and one additional officer for every four or fewer courtrooms on each floor, with expanded requirements by 2029. The Judiciary introduced $5.6 million in its FY 2027 budget to assist local jurisdictions in meeting minimum security standards. HB 492 and SB 544 crossed over.
Investigation of Threats by Office of the State Prosecutor: Legislators approved expanding the role of Office of the State Prosecutor to investigate a threat made against a judge or judge-elect. HB 1031 and SB 634 crossed over.
Protecting Personal Information: Legislators considered bills that would protect the personal information of public servants, similar to the information privacy protections enacted in SB 575 in 2024 in honor of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. SB 632 protects the personal information of state elected officials and crossed over. SB 121 would have protected a broader group of individuals, including public-facing attorneys, but did not move out of committee.
Regulation of Fees, Improving State Revenue
Regulating Fees That Impact Attorneys: In 2025, the State Archives proposed a new land records fee in 2025 that would have significantly increased costs for Maryland attorneys and clients accessing digital land records. MSBA successfully defeated the fee and this year supported bills that would require any fees established by the State Archive (including land records) to be established by regulation. While HB 576 and SB 425 did not move out of committee, legislators have given preliminary approval to Archives’ budget request. MSBA will continue to monitor the issue and oppose unregulated and unreasonable fees.
Attracting Businesses to Maryland, Increasing State Revenue: MSBA, through its Business Law Section, developed and supported legislation that would allow for an expedited filing fee for certain business filings, to improve business efficiency, bring more business to the state, and increase revenue. HB 1346 crossed over. SB 278 remains in committee.
Rule of Law, Immigration Enforcement
Violations of Constitutional Rights: Legislators approved a new legal pathway for individuals in Maryland to sue if they believe their constitutional rights have been violated by someone acting under the authority of law. HB 351 and SB 346 crossed over.
Banning 287(g) Agreements: Lawmakers took up immigration enforcement early in the session. Governor Moore signed into law bills banning agreements between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. HB 444 and SB 245 crossed over and became law.
Immigration Detention Facilities - Zoning: Both chambers passed bills to ban private immigration detention centers unless zoned for such facilities, with the Senate more broadly restricting all private detention centers. HB 1017 and SB 984 crossed over.
Data Privacy Act: The House moved to prevent businesses from selling personal data to a federal, state, or local government unit for the purpose of immigration enforcement. HB 711 crossed over. SB 504 remains in committee.
Community Trust Act: Legislators did not advance bills that would prohibit state or local law enforcement and jails from detaining individuals based on immigration status without a judicial warrant. HB 1575 and SB 791 remain in committee.
Administration of Justice, Access to Justice
Youth Charging Reform and Detention: The Senate approved directing more criminal cases to juvenile court rather than automatically charging juveniles as adults, and amended the legislation to incorporate SB 296, providing limits on juvenile contact with incarcerated adults in detention. The House approved legislation with limits on restrictive housing for juveniles. HB 921 and SB 323 crossed over. HB 409 (Youth Charging Reform Act) did not move out of committee.
District Court – Issuance of Summonses and Arrest Warrants: The House approved legislation removing the authority of a District Court commissioner to issue an arrest warrant based on an application for a statement of charges filed by an individual who is not a police officer or a State’s Attorney. The commissioner may issue a summons and refer the application for a statement of charges to the State’s Attorney’s office for review and to determine whether to request a judge of the District Court issue an arrest warrant. HB 336 crossed over.
Clean Slate Act: The Senate approved legislation to require the Judiciary to shield certain arrest and conviction records for eligible individuals on a monthly basis. SB 483 crossed over. HB 360 remains in committee.
Petition for Guardianship of the Property of Alleged Disabled Person: The House approved a process to allow courts to stay property actions against alleged disabled persons to allow for the temporary or permanent appointment of a guardian. HB 426 crossed over.
Protective Orders - Duration and Relief: Legislators approved lengthening time between a temporary protective order hearing and a final protective order hearing for up to fourteen days. HB 497 crossed over. SB 433 remains in committee.
Estates and Trust, Property
Estates and Trusts – Fiduciaries – Attorney-Client Privilege: Legislators endorsed bills clarifying that a communication between an attorney and a client that acts as a fiduciary is subject to attorney-client privilege even if fiduciary funds are used to compensate the attorney for services rendered to the client. HB 65 and SB 131 crossed over.
Uniform Simultaneous Death Act: Both chambers passed an updated uniform act to address inequities in property distribution that can occur when two individuals die simultaneously or in close succession. HB 596 and SB 250 crossed over.
Transfer-on-death Deed: Bills to simplify estate planning and property transfer at death outside of probate moved forward in both chambers. HB 738 and SB 651 crossed over.
Courts - Exemption from Judgment: The House supported a bill for individuals to retain real and personal property through increases in certain existing exemptions from judgment attachment and through additional categories of reasonable exemptions. HB 1520 crossed over.
MSBA remains committed to protecting the rule of law, enhancing court security and access, and protecting the profession. Learn more at msba.org/advocacy and contact us at [email protected].