District 20 legislators hear Takoma Park priorities; delegates pledge bills on juvenile justice, immigration and housing

Takoma Park’s City Council met with Maryland’s District 20 delegation in a special session to align the city’s legislative priorities with bills expected in the coming session. Delegates and Sen. Will Smith outlined proposals on juvenile justice, immigration enforcement limits and housing protections, and the city highlighted specific funding requests, including $500,000 for its segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

The meeting opened with Mayor Felicia Searcy describing the council’s five priorities: advancing “a community of safety and belonging,” fiscal sustainability, environmental sustainability, responsive service and equitable housing policy. The mayor thanked members of District 20 for earlier support for public works building design and for helping secure a stop‑sign camera pilot and asked the delegation to consider a $500,000 legislative bond to complete design and begin construction on a trail connector through Takoma Park.

Senator Will Smith said juvenile justice reform will be a first‑tier Senate priority. He warned Maryland’s current handling of some youth cases is costly and harmful: “When you’re in that adult system, you’re not getting access to school or services,” he said, arguing reform would produce better public‑safety outcomes while lowering costs. Smith described plans to propose legislation removing Maryland from certain 287(g) immigration enforcement arrangements and to require clearer identification and unmasking of federal enforcement officers during local operations.

Delegate Janelle Wilkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said the caucus will press on SNAP supports and gender‑affirming care and urged the city to keep good‑cause eviction proposals focused on eviction protections rather than extending into rent stabilization. “This bill deals with evictions at the end of a lease,” Wilkins said, underscoring the sponsor’s intent to limit the measure to eviction grounds.

Delegate David Moon said the delegation is tracking local impacts of federal layoffs and grant reductions and warned of a looming state revenue gap. He also reaffirmed support for unmasking and identification requirements for federal enforcement actions and described House committee work to preserve evidence tied to enforcement events.

Delegate Laura Charcutian said she will reintroduce a data privacy bill and pursue targeted measures—within state authority—addressing ICE flights and refueling practices. She also raised energy affordability and the rising cost pressure from data‑center growth, noting the delegation’s interest in demand‑response and renewable‑credit policies to protect ratepayers.

Takoma Park councilmembers used the session to press for specific state actions and clarifications on how proposed state bills would affect municipal authority. The council also used the meeting to kick off the FY27 budget work session, which followed the delegation presentation.

The meeting included public comment and a closed‑session report; no substantive votes on legislation took place. City staff will follow up with Delegation staff on the $500,000 trail bond request and on technical language to ensure municipal concerns are reflected in any draft bills.

What’s next: Delegation members said they will introduce or support the measures discussed in Annapolis and promised to share draft bill language and timing so Takoma Park staff can review implications before session votes.