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Legislative committee reviews 2025 bills with operational impacts on Maryland courts
Summary
Judge Stacy A. Mayer reported that the Judicial Branch reviewed thousands of bills in 2025 and highlighted measures with operational effects on courts, including courthouse-security reporting (SB 621), the Maryland Values Act (HB 1222), expungement reform (HB 432), and other provisions affecting jury excusal, lactation facilities, and court reporting obligations.
Hon. Stacy A. Mayer, chair of the Legislative Committee, told the Judicial Council that the committee reviewed more than 2,600 bills during the 2025 legislative session, performed in-depth analysis on 764, and took formal positions on 198 measures.
Mayer highlighted measures the Judiciary tracked for operational effect: Senate Bill 621 requires law enforcement agencies that provide courthouse security to report courthouse security data to the Chief Justice by Sept. 30, 2025; House Bill 1222 (the Maryland Values Act) limits federal immigration-enforcement access at sensitive locations, including courthouses, without a valid warrant or exigent circumstances and requires guidance from the Attorney General by Oct. 1, 2025; House Bill 432 (the Expungement Reform Act of 2025) expands expungement eligibility and changes waiting periods with provisions effective beginning July 1, 2025 and some elements effective Jan. 31, 2026.
Mayer also noted bills affecting courthouse facilities and jury service: House Bill 1440 requires lactation rooms in courthouses constructed or substantially renovated after Oct. 1, 2025, and permits certain jury excusals; House Bill 786 authorizes the Appellate Court to hold sessions at educational institutions; and a set of civil and criminal bills updated procedures for testimony by child victims, theft and firearms penalties, and administrative notice obligations tied to an Income Tax Reconciliation Program.
On the Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic proposal, Mayer said the Legislature vetoed companion legislation but the Judiciary plans to pursue a pilot under existing authority. The committee will circulate a final report and continue to refine positions and fiscal analyses ahead of the 2026 session.
