Maryland’s forest conservation law has failed to protect some of the state’s best forests, scientists and environmentalists say.
Annapolis
Md. Senate passes revised cyberbullying law
Maryland lawmakers in 2013 passed “Grace’s Law,” a bipartisan bill that made it a misdemeanor to repeatedly and maliciously bully someone through use of a computer or cellphone. Five years later, some of the same legislators are back to update the law to reflect the new media landscape.
The Annapolis Bullpen: Where’s the line?
This week on the Annapolis Bullpen podcast we dive deep into gerrymandering in Maryland. We explore who represents you, how districts are drawn and how Maryland is different from other states.
Bill expanding medical cannabis licenses amended
A bill that would expand Maryland’s medical cannabis industry to include more minority ownership, after more than a month in legislative limbo, is moving again in the General Assembly, with amendments.
Annapolis rally calls on Governor to fully fund mental health, addiction aid
-Hundreds rallied on Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State House on Thursday to urge Governor Hogan to “keep the door open” for those suffering from mental and behavioral health challenges. The demonstrators say the General Assembly last year expanded a program to tackle the heroin and opioid addiction problem. But, they say, the Governor’s budget proposal fails to fully fund it.
State delegate works to make streets safer following grandson’s murder
There were 342 homicides in Baltimore last year. Among the victims, the grandson of Baltimore City Delegate Talmadge Branch. Branch is sponsoring legislation to try and expand a violence prevention program already operating in the city in the hopes of saving the lives of others
Md. lawmakers want to increase sanctions for murder-for-hire
Maryland prosecutors will be able to go after the crime of solicitation to murder – no matter how long after the act, and for a felony – if a bipartisan bill passes.
Maryland delegate sponsors bill allowing school employees to carry guns
Baltimore-Harford County State Delegate Rick Impallaria says schools need a comprehensive plan and additional protocols to protect students and staff from tragedies like this week’s deadly high school shooting in Lakeland, Florida. Impallaria is asking the legislature to approve a bill that would allow school employees to carry guns on school grounds.
Pipeline protesters take frustrations to Hogan’s doorstep
Scores of environmentalists gathered Thursday night in Annapolis to protest a “Potomac Pipeline,” citing inaction on the part of the state in properly vetting the environmental impact of a project that would transport fracked natural gas under the Potomac River.
Bill would criminalize knowing failure to report child abuse
Legislation that would make knowingly failing to report child abuse a crime in Maryland was passed by the Senate, but faces some skepticism in the House.