ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Almost two years after passing landmark youth justice reform, Maryland lawmakers are scrutinizing its impact on young offenders – and questioning whether they’ve done enough to make things better. The 2022 reforms were meant to help more…
Annapolis
Republicans push back against cannabis odor law, but repeal seems unlikely
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Republicans are pushing to repeal a Maryland law that prohibits police from pulling over and searching drivers simply because they smell of marijuana, but Democratic leaders say they aren’t interested in dramatic changes to the state’s cannabis…
Moore’s budget trims some programs, preserves school reform blueprint
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore unveiled a budget proposal on Wednesday that would balance the books and protect the state’s ambitious reform plan for Maryland public schools, without raising taxes in the fiscal year that begins in July. The…
Maryland General Assembly opens with talk of budget fixes, juvenile justice problems
Gov. Wes Moore and top lawmakers headed into the 2024 General Assembly session Wednesday with a looming budget deficit in mind, hoping to avoid tax hikes and dramatic cuts and focus, instead, on their important priorities.
Moore stresses accountability, rehabilitation for dealing with youth crime
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday he expects “robust debates” about juvenile justice in coming weeks – and that his administration will be an “active participant” trying to balance rehabilitation with cracking down on crime. “The hallmark of…
Maryland’s highest court weighs protections for historic Black cemetery
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The fight over a historic Black cemetery in Bethesda is now in the hands of the Maryland Supreme Court, as justices weigh the need to preserve a burial ground against the rights of the property owner who…
Lawmakers may revisit issue of drivers smelling of marijuana
The Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches law was approved during the final minutes of the 2023 session.
Problems persist in juvenile services schooling 2 years after transfer from education department
Two years after the Maryland General Assembly transferred responsibility for incarcerated students’ education from the state Education Department to an independent school board within the Juvenile Services Department, students confined in Maryland’s secure youth facilities continue to face multiple long-standing challenges.
Moore counters political polarization with positive messaging
Gov. Wes Moore flashed his signature smile to the crowd as he pointed to people saying, “We need you,” and thanking everyone like he’d just won an Oscar. The smile and shoutouts that punctuated the October launch of his service year program have become characteristic of Moore’s optimistic style.
Trans patients face geographic, availability barriers to care, medications
Gender-affirming care is a medically necessary group of treatments, including hormone therapy, alterations to voice, laser treatment and surgeries. But medical “care” also includes using the patient’s preferred pronouns and staying up-to-date on gender identities and protocols.
While access to gender-affirming care has improved in recent years, it still varies across Maryland. From finding experienced doctors to the availability of prescribed hormones, trans care can require a lot of work on the patient’s part.