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District of Columbia v. R.W. - Reasonable Suspicion

The Supreme Court reversed the D.C. Court of Appeals in District of Columbia v. R.W., holding that Officer Vanterpool had reasonable suspicion to stop R.W. based on the totality of circumstances: a late-night dispatch about a suspicious vehicle, two passengers fleeing upon seeing police, and the driver backing up without closing the open door. The Court found the D.C. Court of Appeals erred by 'excis[ing]' the radio dispatch and companions' flight from its analysis, which is incompatible with the totality-of-circumstances test required by Fourth Amendment precedent.

Miguel Vega v. Commissioner of Correction — Brady Disclosure

The Connecticut Supreme Court in Miguel Vega v. Commissioner of Correction affirmed the Appellate Court's judgment on an alternative basis, holding that while a prosecutor's duty under Brady extends to exculpatory information known to other prosecutors in the same state's attorney's office, the failure to disclose a witness's prior false testimony was immaterial because there was no reasonable probability it would have changed the outcome of Vega's murder trial. The court reversed the Appellate Court's rationale that the prosecutor had no responsibility to search unrelated case files absent a specific defense request. Argued October 29, 2025—officially released April 21, 2026.

AG Frey Joins Coalition Condemning DOJ Coercion Against Minnesota

Maine Attorney General Aaron M. Frey joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in condemning the Department of Justice's use of armed federal agents to coerce Minnesota officials into turning over protected resident data including Medicaid, SNAP, and voter information. The coalition, led by New York AG Letitia James, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on January 29, 2026, asserting the demands intrude on state sovereignty and conflict with ongoing court-ordered protections. The attorneys general warned they will continue to defend state sovereignty and resident rights against unlawful federal interference.

Maryland AG Secures $562,000 Settlement for 17 Investors Defrauded by Otis H. Jackson

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a $562,000 settlement with Otis H. Jackson and his companies, Social Solutions LLC and SITO Capital LLC, resolving an investigation into an unregistered securities scheme that defrauded 17 investors between 2019 and 2024. Jackson sold promissory notes to investors for a purported affordable housing program in Baltimore's Park Heights neighborhood, misusing funds for personal expenses including mortgage payments, dining, and cash transfers instead of the stated program. Under the Consent Order, Jackson and his companies are permanently barred from Maryland's securities and investment advisory business.

DOJ Proposes CERCLA Settlement With Congoleum, Liberty Mutual for $449K

The DOJ published notice of a proposed Settlement Agreement under CERCLA between the United States (on behalf of EPA) and Congoleum Corporation (n/k/a CC Oldco Corporation), Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the Liquidation Trust for Old Congoleum. The settlement grants the United States an allowed claim of $423,169.50 for the Henderson Road Superfund Site in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and an allowed claim of $26,154.91 for the Spectron, Inc. Superfund Site in Cecil County, Maryland. Liberty Mutual will pay the combined $449,324.41 in full. In exchange, the United States covenants not to sue Old Congoleum or the Liquidation Trust for claims under CERCLA Sections 106 and 107, and agrees not to seek insurance proceeds from Liberty Mutual for environmental claims at these sites. A 30-day public comment period is now open.

Maryland Advisory Committee Public Meetings on AI in Voting Administration

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has published notice of three upcoming public meetings of the Maryland Advisory Committee to be held via Zoom on May 27, July 1, and July 29, 2026. The meetings are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET each date, with registration links and phone dial-in information provided. The stated purpose is to begin briefing planning on the topic of artificial intelligence and its application in voting administration.

Dental Assistant and Family Members Sentenced for Illegal Opioid Distribution

Samantha Cook, Alice Deese, and Janice Deese were sentenced by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General for illegally distributing oxycodone to Dr. Andrew T. Fried, a licensed dentist. Cook sold more than $100,000 worth of oxycodone to Dr. Fried over 18 months, obtaining the pills using Medicaid and Medicare benefits of her mother and step-grandmother. Cook received a 10-year suspended sentence with three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and exclusion from participating as a provider in any state or federal healthcare programs.

AG Brown Secures $562,000 Settlement for Investors Defrauded in Fake Affordable Housing Scheme

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has secured a $562,000 settlement with Otis H. Jackson and his two companies, Social Solutions LLC and SITO Capital LLC, for defrauding 17 investors through an unregistered securities scheme. Between 2019 and 2024, Jackson sold promissory notes falsely claiming to fund an affordable housing program in Baltimore's Park Heights neighborhood, but instead used investor funds for personal expenses including mortgage payments, dining, and cash transfers. Jackson and his companies have been permanently barred from the securities and investment advisory business in Maryland, and the $562,000 civil penalty will be distributed as restitution to affected investors.

Earth Day Event Plants Trees at Northview Elementary

For Earth Week, the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources held a tree planting event at Northview Elementary School in Prince George's County Public Schools. Students planted 30 redbud, flowering dogwood, and tulip poplar trees. The event was part of the Schoolyard Forests Program, which has reached over 1.5 million native trees planted as part of the Maryland 5 Million Trees initiative's goal of 5 million trees by 2031.

AG Brown Joins 22 AG Coalition Opposing HUD Mixed-Status Family Housing Rule

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing a proposed rule that would prohibit mixed-status families from living in public housing and from receiving federal housing assistance including Section 8 vouchers and project-based rental assistance. The proposed rule would mandate eviction of entire households if any single member is found ineligible due to immigration status, affecting eligible members including U.S. citizen children. The coalition argues the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and Paperwork Reduction Act, and would exacerbate the housing crisis while disproportionately burdening elderly citizens, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and low-income residents.

Press Release Signup Form for Maryland Department of Labor

The Maryland Department of Labor has made available an online press release signup form accessible via public.govdelivery.com. Users can subscribe to receive department press releases and communications through this registration page.

Bird Flu Prevention Guidance for Maryland Workers

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MOSH) published a resource page consolidating guidance on avian influenza (bird flu) prevention for Maryland workers. The page describes how bird flu spreads from infected birds to humans through direct contact, contaminated environments, or intermediate animal hosts, and links to federal resources from OSHA, CDC, USDA, and other agencies covering worker protection, PPE, and outbreak response.

Maryland Employer Layoff Reporting Requirements Under Economic Stabilization Act

Maryland's revised Economic Stabilization Act regulations took effect October 13, 2025, requiring employers with 50 or more employees to provide 60 days' advance notice to MD Labor's Dislocation Services Unit before laying off 15 or more workers or 25% or more of their workforce. Federal WARN Act requirements separately apply to employers with over 100 employees anticipating layoffs of 50 or more workers or 33% of the active workforce. MD Labor offers Rapid Response services to support both employers and impacted workers through any layoff or closure event.

AG Brown Sues DC Water for 240M Gallon Sewage Spill

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and the Maryland Department of the Environment filed a civil lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court against DC Water on April 20, 2026, seeking penalties and damages for contamination of the Potomac River. The lawsuit stems from the January 19, 2026 rupture of a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Montgomery County, which released an estimated 240 million gallons of raw sewage over eight days into the Potomac River and its tributaries. The complaint alleges DC Water knew the over half-century-old infrastructure showed signs of corrosion yet delayed initiating capital improvements, constituting gross negligence under state water pollution laws.

Governor Moore Awards $1.5M to ENOUGH Communities for Education, Child Care

Governor Wes Moore announced $1.5 million in philanthropic funding awards to strengthen education and child care access in nine ENOUGH communities – Maryland jurisdictions with high concentrations of childhood poverty. The funding represents a targeted initiative by the Moore administration to address educational opportunity gaps in areas of the state with elevated childhood poverty rates. This announcement appears as a press release on the Maryland Governor's official news page.

FTC, Maryland AG Secure $75M Refunds, $3.1M Penalty Against Lindsay Auto

The FTC and Maryland Attorney General announced Lindsay Automotive Group and its executives will return over $75 million to consumers and pay a $3.1 million civil penalty to resolve allegations of deceptive advertising and unwanted add-on charges. The proposed order requires Lindsay to provide the total price of vehicles, including all mandatory fees, to consumers.

Maryland Home Visiting Week Proclaimed April 20-24, 2026

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has proclaimed April 20-24, 2026 as Maryland Home Visiting Week, recognizing the role of home visiting programs in early childhood development and family well-being. The proclamation highlights that home visiting programs help parents meet children's unique needs, promote healthy development, strengthen family relationships, and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. Maryland citizens are urged to learn more about home visiting resources available to support children and families across the state.

Gayon Sampson Appointed Maryland Comptroller Chief of Staff

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced the appointment of Gayon M. Sampson as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland. Sampson will begin the role on June 10, 2026, succeeding Rianna Matthews-Brown, who served as Chief of Staff since the start of Comptroller Lierman's administration and will depart at the end of April. Sampson joins from the City of Frederick, where he served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor and helped secure nearly $100 million in federal, state, and local funding for infrastructure, housing, and community development projects.

Maryland Personal Income Tax Filing Deadline Is April 15, 2026

The Maryland Comptroller's office issued a reminder on April 15, 2026, that the state and federal personal income tax filing deadline falls on that date. Taxpayers who need additional time to file may request an extension but must pay any estimated taxes owed by the deadline to avoid interest and penalties. The agency reports it has processed over 2,447,539 personal income tax returns and issued over 1,576,196 refunds totaling over $2.23 billion so far this tax season. Working Marylanders may qualify for up to $4,000 through the State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Maryland PSC Sets Public Hearing on Skipper Solar Project

The Maryland Public Service Commission has scheduled a public hearing for May 4, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Abingdon Fire Company in Abingdon to receive comments on OneEnergy Development LLC's application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct the 3.0 MW Skipper solar generating facility on 12 acres in Harford County. Written comments referencing Case No. 9796 may be submitted through May 15, 2026 via the Commission's online portal or by mail to the Chief Clerk.

ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Aliens for Sex Trafficking, Child Assault, Rape, Kidnapping

DHS released a press statement announcing that ICE arrested 14 criminal illegal aliens across the country over a weekend period for convictions including sexual assault on a child, human trafficking for sexual servitude, rape, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. The arrests occurred in multiple states including Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, South Dakota, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Ecuadoran nationals among others.

State Acquisition of Laurel Park and Economic Development Tour Announced

Governor Wes Moore announced the state's acquisition of Laurel Park, a thoroughbred racing facility, as part of a strategic pivot that consolidates Maryland's thoroughbred training operations at Laurel Park while transitioning Pimlico Race Course into a premier ship-in racing venue. The acquisition is projected to save more than $50 million. Simultaneously, the governor launched a 'Delivering for Maryland' economic development tour in St. Mary's County, highlighting three years of progress and regional investment initiatives.

Xponential Fitness Settles Maryland Franchise Disclosure Violations for $75K

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a settlement with Xponential Fitness, Inc., a franchisor of fitness studio brands including Club Pilates, Yoga Six, and Stretch Lab, resolving alleged violations of Maryland Franchise Law. The state's Securities Division alleged that Xponential misrepresented typical franchise opening times as six months or less when actual times were closer to a year or longer, and failed to disclose legally mandated contact information for former franchisees. Under the Consent Order, Xponential paid a $75,000 civil monetary penalty and agreed to offer termination and fee refunds to certain Maryland franchisees with unopened studios.

Attorney General Davenport Sues EPA Over Mercury Emissions Standards Repeal

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 18 states in filing a lawsuit challenging the EPA's repeal of standards limiting mercury and toxic pollutants from power plants. The states argue the repeal is unlawful because the EPA failed to provide a reasoned basis and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The coalition is asking the court to determine the rule is unlawful and must be reversed.

Maryland Repeals Licensing Exemption for Acquirers of Consumer Credit Loans

Maryland has repealed Section 11-102 of the Maryland Financial Institutions Article, eliminating an exemption that previously allowed certain persons acquiring mortgages, mortgage loans, or installment loans to avoid state licensing requirements. Governor Wes Moore signed Senate Bill 784 on April 14, 2026, characterizing the repeal as a 'clarifying corrective measure' addressing an erroneously enacted 2025 provision. The law takes effect July 1.

Suppah Personal Restraint Petition Denied, Murder Convictions Upheld

The Washington Court of Appeals, Division II denied John Francis Jude Suppah's personal restraint petition challenging his convictions for second degree murder, drive-by shooting, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, and two counts of witness tampering stemming from the December 2015 shooting death of Preston Stafford in Tacoma. The court rejected all three grounds for relief: that the State violated his fair trial rights by presenting false testimony regarding witness benefits, that the State violated Brady v. Maryland by failing to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence about witness benefits, and that he received ineffective assistance of counsel when trial counsel failed to discover this evidence.

16 States Enact AI Laws Covering Elections, Health, Labor

The NCSL AI Legislation Tracker has been updated with enacted state AI bills from 16 states: Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. Notable enacted bills include Kentucky S 4 (Protection of Information), Maine H 1154a (Transparency in Consumer Transactions), Montana S 25 (Deepfakes in Elections), Maryland H 956 (AI Implementation Workgroup), and Minnesota H 2432 (Public Safety/Child Pornography).

Lindsay Dealerships Settlement - $75M+ Consumer Refunds for Deceptive Advertising

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and the FTC have settled civil charges against Lindsay Ford, Lindsay Chevrolet, Lindsay Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram, Lindsay Management Company, and individual owners Michael Lindsay, John Smallwood, and Paul Smyth. The defendants must refund consumers the difference between advertised and actual prices paid at three dealerships between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2025, plus Lindsay Ford add-on charges consumers did not agree to or thought were required. Over $75 million in consumer charges may be eligible for refunds. The defendants also agreed to pay $3.1 million to the Attorney General's Office. The settlement awaits court approval in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

State v. Prince - Ineffective Assistance Reversal on Cell Site Testimony

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals reversed a postconviction order granting Lionel Lee Prince a new trial, holding that trial counsel did not render deficient performance by failing to object to a detective's testimony about cell site data. The court found the detective's testimony was admissible lay opinion because he merely read street addresses of cell towers as they appeared in T-Mobile call detail records, not expert interpretation. The postconviction court had erred by basing its ruling on a legal conclusion that the testimony was inadmissible expert testimony without making factual findings on the reasonableness of counsel's strategic decision.

Johnson v. State - Hot-Blooded Response Defense Unavailable for First-Degree Assault

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland affirmed convictions against Terance Johnson, Jr. and Teriquo Johnson stemming from a March 12, 2023 altercation at Frank's Den bar in Glen Burnie, upholding sentences of 25 years (Terance) and 10 years (Teriquo). The court held that the hot-blooded response to adequate provocation defense is no longer available to defendants charged with first-degree assault, following the 2017 State v. Jones decision that overruled Roary v. State.

States Challenge EPA Rollback of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison co-led a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule, which had tightened emission limits on mercury, arsenic, lead, and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. The coalition argues the repeal is unlawful because EPA failed to provide a reasoned basis and did not adequately consider advances in pollution control technologies, while continuing to give lignite coal plants a free pass from emissions standards. The action seeks judicial reversal of the rollback, which the states contend will increase dangerous emissions and harm public health and the environment.

AG Rayfield, 20 States Sue Over Mercury Pollution Rule Rollback

Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 20 other states and local governments filed a lawsuit on March 31, 2026 challenging the Trump administration's rollback of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The MATS Rule limits emissions of mercury, arsenic, lead, acid gases, and other toxic pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants. The coalition argues the administration failed to provide a reasoned basis for the rollback and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The lawsuit seeks a court determination that the rule reversal is unlawful and must be reversed. Mercury emissions from power plants contaminate waterways including the Columbia River and pose neurodevelopmental risks to pregnant women and children.

State v. Robb - Postconviction Waiver of Errors

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland reversed the postconviction court's order granting Michael Robb a new trial and reinstated his 2015 convictions for attempted murder, robbery, and conspiracy. The appellate court held that postconviction counsel did not perform deficiently by failing to raise claims that had been waived when not raised at trial and on direct appeal, and that even structural errors require proof of prejudice rather than presumption of prejudice in postconviction proceedings.

Maryland DEQ and AG Obtain $360k Settlement for Diesel Fuel Release

The Maryland Department of the Environment and Attorney General's Office have secured a $360,000 settlement with D.M. Bowman, Inc., Day and Sons, Inc., and The Potomac Edison Company. This settlement resolves a complaint regarding a 2021 diesel fuel release in Frederick County, Maryland, and will fund the state's oil spill response capabilities.

State v. Houston - Murder Trial Disqualification of State's Attorney

The Supreme Court of Maryland held that an interlocutory firewall order prohibiting the State's Attorney from communicating with her staff about a murder case was immediately appealable under the collateral order doctrine, satisfying all four prongs. The court simultaneously held that the disqualification order removing the State's Attorney as lead prosecutor was not immediately appealable because it fails the third prong—the issue was not completely separate from the merits. The decision affects the murder prosecution of James S. Houston, who allegedly stabbed his wife to death and plans to argue self-defense. State prosecutors and criminal defendants in Maryland should note that witness-role separation orders carry different procedural consequences than disqualification orders under the collateral order doctrine.

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Hecht - Attorney Discipline

The Maryland Supreme Court disbarred attorney Spencer Michael Hecht for multiple instances of professional misconduct, including dishonesty, concealment, and misrepresentation. The court applied the Vanderlinde standard, requiring compelling extenuating circumstances for sanctions less than disbarment in cases of intentional dishonesty.