Maryland Votes

Establishes the Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund, expanding it to provide no-interest loans to federal employees unpaid due to a government shutdown, terminated due to closures, relocations, layoffs, or financial hardship.

Prohibits influencing or attempting to influence a voter's decision to cast a vote for a candidate or ballot issue by disseminating a "deepfake" to falsely depict a person with "false intent."

Establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and recommend benefits for descendants of individuals enslaved in Maryland or impacted by inequitable government policies.

Extends the Minority Business Enterprise Program's termination date, while postponing deadlines for reports evaluating "compliance with federal and constitutional" requirements, and mandating "race and gender-neutral" approaches to support minority and women-owned businesses.

Mandates that legislative bodies of certain Maryland counties and municipalities adopt laws authorizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on lots with a single-family detached dwelling as the primary unit, while prohibiting restrictions on ADU rental.

Establishes the Public Health Abortion Grant Program to provide funds for health care practitioners and organizations to provide access to abortion services.

Expands the state's nondiscrimination laws by adding "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the list of protected characteristics.

Establishes the Commission on New Americans within the state government.

Establishes the Carbon Capture Opportunity Program within the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).

Lowers the minimum age for household members to qualify for a state-provided supplemental benefit under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from 62 to 60 years old and increases the amount of this supplemental benefit from $40 to $50.

Would have required each local board of elections to designate an outdoor location for curbside voting.

Increases certain civil penalties for violations of the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Authorizes a family court to grant an "absolute divorce" on the grounds of either a six-month separation between the parties or "irreconcilable differences" based on reasons stated by the complainant.

Requires Medicaid, under the "Trans Health Equity Act," to provide coverage for "gender-affirming treatment" to all "transgender, nonbinary, intersex, two-spirit, and other gender diverse individuals."

Establishes the Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention to "develop strategies to prevent and respond to hate crime activity" and "evaluate State laws and policies."

Proposes to amend the Maryland Constitution to declare a "fundamental right" to "reproductive freedom," including but not limited to the ability to "prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy."

Proclaims October 5 annually as Dashain Day, codifying into law a Hindu religious festival in honor of Durga, the Universal Mother Goddess.

Would allow a police officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the police officer has probable cause to believe that the person is a knowing participant in a "straw purchase" of a "regulated firearm."

Establishes the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program in the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that there are a sufficient number of health professionals, training funds, and coverage requirements for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide abortion care.

Prohibits the possession of unserialized firearms, "ghost guns" or "privately made firearms", and prohibits a person from purchasing, receiving, selling, offering to sell, or transferring an unfinished frame, receiver and custom made and unserialized firearms.

Creates a "Sanctuary State" by eliminating Immigration Enforcement.

Requires the State to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2030 and requires the State to achieve net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, along with other green initiatives.

Requires a local board of elections to designate the locations of ballot drop boxes. It also requires for a permanent absentee ballot list.

Establishes the Office of Statewide Broadband in the Department of Housing and Community Development to ensure that every resident of the State is supported by high-quality broadband Internet service at an affordable price.