On January 10, the Maryland General Assembly begins its 2018 legislative session. The Maryland State Bar Association’s (MSBA) Family and Juvenile Law Section Council’s (FJLSC) Legislative Committee actively monitors family law and related legislation, testifies …
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2018 Maryland Family Law Legislative Preview
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Amber’s Law – Electronic Monitoring & Notice to Victims of Offender’s Proximity to Stay Away Locations
While not obviously a domestic violence law, Amber’s Law (HB1163) implements procedures enabling a victim to request reasonable safety protections for herself and her family upon finding of probable cause and before the arrest warrant …
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Verbally Abusive Teen Relationships & Parent Resources
“No matter the behavior, if a relationship makes you feel nervous, unsure, upset, confused, or overwhelmed, those are signs that something isn’t quite right.” Teen Vogue published a recent article about signs of a verbally …
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2017 Legislative Derail – Best Interest & Child Advocate Attorneys as DV Petitioners
The 2017 Maryland legislative session saw an attempt to add Best Interest (“BIA”) and Child Advocate Attorneys (“CAA”) to the categories of domestic violence petitioners. Specifically, the proposed bill would have allowed BIAs and CAAs …
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Rape Survivor’s Family Protection Act Fails Again
A number of bills did not pass the Maryland General Assembly in the 2017 session, one of which has been long in the making. SB574/HB428: Family Law – Child Conceived Without Consent – Termination of …
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2017 Maryland Family Law Legislative Update
The 2017 legislative session saw the introduction of relatively few family law bills, but with a surprising number passing (especially as compared with 2016). Subject to veto by the Governor until May 30 (which is …
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Hiring an Attorney – What to Consider?
Hiring an attorney means putting your trust in someone to advocate for you, your family, and your future on the unfamiliar path of divorce and custody. It is a stressful journey, arising from a difficult …
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Maryland Domestic Violence Law Gets Minor – But Needed – Update
Currently, Maryland law (Family Law Article §7-301.1) makes an Interim, Temporary, or Final Protective Order granted in a domestic violence proceeding inadmissible evidence in other family law matters, such as divorce, custody, and custody modification …
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Fewer Firearms for Those Convicted of Domestic Violence Crimes in Maryland
While not overtly a domestic violence bill, HB294 revises Public Safety Article §5-101(b-1)(2)(i) so a person, who receives a probation before judgment for second degree assault that is a “domestically related crime” (as defined in …
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2017 Maryland Legislative Update – Advance Directives, Domestic Violence & Divorce
This Session saw an unusual blending of family/domestic violence law and estates and trust law in SB562/HB498. Specifically, this bill revises Health General Article §§5-602 and 5-605, expanding the categories of persons disqualified from serving …
