Maryland General Assembly

House approves bill limiting payments to victims of child sexual abuse

April 3, 2025
By Christopher Gunty
Catholic Review Filed Under: 2023 Attorney General's Report, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News

The Maryland House passed a bill April 3 that makes significant changes to the Child Victims Act, lowering the limits for future lawsuits for sexual abuse of a minor and limiting the civil damages to each claimant, rather than each incident of alleged abuse. The bill now moves to the Maryland Senate for action before the session ends April 7.

Maryland legislators consider reducing state’s financial responsibility for child sex abuse

March 27, 2025
By Christopher Gunty
Filed Under: 2023 Attorney General's Report, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News

Del. C.T. Wilson, sponsor of the Child Victims Act that was passed by the Maryland Legislature in 2023, said he wants to ensure that the names of all perpetrators of child sexual abuse in the state Department of Juvenile Justice are made public.

Maryland Catholic Conference issues action alerts on abortion legislation

March 14, 2025
By Gerry Jackson
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News, Respect Life

The MCC, which represents bishops serving the three Catholic dioceses in the state (Baltimore, Washington and Wilmington, Del.), is concerned about legislation that runs contrary to Catholic teaching on abortion and healthcare ethics.

Youths rally for continued state support for nonpublic school students

March 6, 2025
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Schools

Meant to capture the attention of lawmakers, the signs highlighted the importance of continued funding for important state programs such as the BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) scholarship initiative that provides tuition assistance to help students from low-income families attend nonpublic schools in Maryland.

Maryland Catholic Conference will host virtual advocacy day Feb. 19

January 17, 2025
By Catholic Review Staff
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News

The Maryland Catholic Conference will host a Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day Feb. 19. Instead of bringing people to Annapolis for briefings on issues of importance to Catholics during the legislative session, interested people can access the day remotely.

Maryland Supreme Court hears arguments on constitutionality of Child Victims Act

September 10, 2024
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News

Arguing before the Maryland Supreme Court Sept. 10, an attorney representing the Archdiocese of Washington and an attorney representing the Key School in Annapolis called for justices to overturn the 2023 Child Victims Act as unconstitutional.

BOOST program helps provide educational opportunities for Marylanders

April 29, 2024
By Lisa Harlow
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Schools

The BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) scholarship program provides funds to help students from limited-income families attend Catholic and other nonpublic schools.

National Guard member joins MCC as respect life director

March 20, 2024
By Christopher Gunty
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News, Respect Life

As the new associate director for Respect Life Advocacy at the Maryland Catholic Conference, Diane Arias has jumped with both feet into the legislative session that began in January.

Marchers at Maryland March for Life call for defeat of constitutional amendment

March 13, 2024
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Respect Life

Many of the pro-life supporters who attended the 45th annual Maryland March for Life in Annapolis March 11 know they are in for a difficult fight come November.

Students rally in support of BOOST scholarship program

March 8, 2024
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Schools

About 300 students from all over Maryland rallied in cold, rainy weather March 5 outside the Statehouse to help lawmakers understand the importance of continued support for students in nonpublic schools.

Maryland bishops speak against physician-assisted suicide

January 30, 2024
By Christopher Gunty
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News, Respect Life

The Maryland General Assembly has again taken up bills that would legalize physician-assisted suicide, or euthanasia, with committee hearings scheduled on House Bill 0403 and Senate Bill 0443 in early February.

Renewed push expected for physician-assisted suicide in Maryland legislature

December 27, 2023
By Christopher Gunty
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News

Leaders of the Maryland Catholic Conference say the state will face another big push for physician-assisted suicide, which is opposed by church teaching, when the 2024 General Assembly session begins Jan. 10.