laws and legislation

A Frederick man has been sentenced to life without parole for fatally shooting an ice cream truck driver as children waited in line.

Think only those who break the law need to fear police surveillance? Think again.

Baltimore, Chicago and other cities are a case study on the limits of local gun control, not its perceived failure

State lawmakers and civil liberties advocates are considering legislation that would regulate police surveillance programs — and require public disclosure — after the Baltimore Police Department ran a secret aerial surveillance program over the city for months.

Korryn Gaines lived and died on social media. The many photos and videos that the Randallstown woman posted on Instagram and Facebook show a confident, happy young woman bursting with pride in her young children, her family and her sense of fashion.

The multi-state lawsuit alleged that Cephalon blocked cheaper generic versions of its wakeness drug, forcing consumers to pay higher prices.

By Sarah Gantz

Aug 4, 2016

The Harford County legislative delegation ended the 2016 General Assembly session Monday with the passage of a flurry of bills that will show the county and state's continued support for two slain Harford County Sheriff's Office deputies, allow alcohol to be served in local movie theaters and allow Harford Community College to obtain a license for alcohol sales during community events on campus.

By David Anderson

Apr 14, 2016

The General Assembly agreed Monday to sweeping changes in Maryland's criminal justice policies, but failed to reach a deal that would have given residents their first major income tax break in nearly two decades.

Six lawyers who make regular appearances before the Harford County Liquor Control Board say changes are needed in the board's resident licensee rules, paperwork and personal appearance requirements and in the current setback laws regarding licensed alcoholic beverage establishments and schools.

By David Anderson

Oct 8, 2015

Carroll County will soon have another voice in Annapolis fighting for its residents' concerns by assisting legislators in developing and reviewing bills that will potentially benefit or harm its residents.

Despite widespread support in the General Assembly, the "Death with Dignity" bill, which would permit a doctor to prescribe life-ending drugs to certain terminally ill patients, was not voted upon in its recent session. Instead, it was remanded to "summer study." There are some who believe that summer study is where bills go to die. In the case of "Death with Dignity," however, I believe that respectful consideration of the suggestions of thoughtful but uncommitted legislators will produce even

Possession of marijuana paraphernalia as well as smoking in public or while driving will remain criminal offenses for another year after Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed a decriminalization bill that passed the General Assembly.

Door-to-door sales representatives will have a little more time to knock on doors after the Baltimore County Council narrowly approved changes to the county's "hucksters and peddlers" law on Thursday.

By Pamela Wood

May 21, 2015

Changes to state law should boost how much energy Maryland derives from the sun

President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed legislation drafted by Sen. Ben Cardin to create a nationwide alert system to help capture anyone who harms a police officer or makes a credible threat to do so.

By John Fritze

May 19, 2015

As city officials pledged a fight to keep the Preakness in Baltimore, others pointed out Monday that state law prohibits the horse race from being moved to another track in Maryland.

By Pamela Wood

May 18, 2015

Hotel booking tax will hurt Md. travel agents

We ask the Gov. Larry Hogan to do the right thing and quickly issue strong nitrogen oxide regulations that bring Maryland's power plants up to snuff. Baltimore should benefit from the Clean Air Act just like the rest of the country. Instead, we continue to breathe dangerously polluted air with no fix in sight.

Healthy Howard

When the Carroll County Gaming Bill kicks in Oct. 1, Carroll nonprofits will be able to hold up to four gaming nights per year, featuring casino style games as fundraisers.

The Maryland General Assembly unanimously approved a bill requested by Sheriff Jim DeWees and Warden George Hardinger to extend due process rights to deputies working at the Carroll County Detention Center and Gov. Larry Hogan signed the bill into law Tuesday.

The USA Freedom Act will protect our security and privacy.

Rep. John Delaney's proposal to appoint a senior official with responsibility for rescuing Americans captured by terrorists overseas will move forward as part of a Defense Department funding measure.

By Ian Duncan

May 14, 2015

The Senate has an opportunity to rein in the NSA's secret spying program

Gov. Larry Hogan signed legislation Tuesday aimed at increasing police accountability during a ceremony that had been delayed because of unrest in Baltimore after the death of a man injured while in police custody.

Gov. Larry Hogan signed a body camera bill Tuesday that supporters say would pave the way for equipping cops across the state with video equipment.

By Erin Cox

May 12, 2015

As the Obama administration prepares to change the way it enforces immigration laws, top officials have been conducting weeks of shuttle diplomacy, touring the country to try to re-enlist police chiefs and mayors in the cause of deporting people convicted of crimes.

Privacy bill offers a good first step in protecting Maryland students

Hogan should approve master plan changes

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will be hosting a ceremonial gaming bill signing event Tuesday, May 12, to show its appreciation for the eight years of effort by the county's legislators to get the bill passed.

A new Howard County proposal strikes a balance between promoting health and choice.

Among the bills awaiting action from Gov. Larry Hogan's desk is House Bill 298, a proposal that does more harm than good when it comes to keeping kids' private and personal information out of the hands of technology companies. Governor Hogan should veto the bill.

U.S. Rep John Delaney last week introduced legislation that he hopes would enable the government to better coordinate its efforts to rescue American's captured by terrorists overseas.

By Ian Duncan

May 5, 2015

Congress must amend the U.S. Patriot Act to protect Americans' privacy rights

Older Americans Month, which has "Getting into the Act" as theme for 2015, will be observed by Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities

Hogan and Rawlings-Blake did not respond to riots until too late

This month, the trade writing committees of the Congress announced new legislation designed to advance human rights through trade. But the bill does not say what human rights the Congress includes, how policymakers will use free trade agreements to advance human rights, or explain how the U.S. will assess whether these human rights are being adequately respected.

Undocumented workers

Even presidents must obey the laws

Trade bill would benefit Israel, not the U.S.

Maryland senator should withdraw proposal to thwart trade boycotts of Israel

With a bill to restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals on his desk awaiting a signature, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has a chance to do the right thing — and to follow in the footsteps of another Republican governor from a neighboring state.

Why so many delinquent water bills in the city? Because water costs three times as much as in the county.

A city councilman revived an effort Monday to give the public access to more information about health inspections at Baltimore's nearly 5,000 restaurants and eateries.

By Yvonne Wenger

Apr 20, 2015

Proposal originally intended to boost charter schools in Maryland will only make matters worse

The questions of overcoming the effects of poverty are still very much with us today, 50 years after Lyndon Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help end the economic achievement gap.

Recently-passed legislation decriminalizing marijuana paraphernalia as well as smoking in public may set the stage for a Fourth Amendment probable cause battle if Gov. Larry Hogan signs it into law.