Courts Archives

Meta Settlement Could Bring New Resources to Local Youth Mental Health Efforts

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General finalized an agreement with Meta, sending $327M in settlement funds to Maryland for deliberately designing products to be addictive to children and teenagers, while misleading parents and the public about the risks. Maryland is set to receive up to $327 million from a multi-state settlement with Meta over allegations that Instagram and Facebook were designed with addictive features that harmed children and exposed young users to serious mental…

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August 31, 2026

Courts / Elections

MD Supreme Court To Decide Fate of Redistricting Ballot Question

The Supreme Court of Maryland will decide whether a proposed congressional redistricting amendment can appear on the November ballot after two circuit court judges separately ruled against the measure. The first appeal is set for Thursday, September 3, as the State Board of Elections prepares to begin printing ballots. Last week, Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Thompson ruled that the General Assembly failed to comply with State election law when it passed…

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August 31, 2026

Courts / Elections / News You Can Use

SCOTUS Ruling Leaves Mail-In Voting Fight Unresolved

A US Supreme Court ruling could allow the Trump administration to move forward with parts of an executive order restricting mail-in voting, but the Court did not rule on whether those restrictions are legal, and the decision does not change Maryland’s current mail-in voting process. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) this week sided with the Trump administration in a procedural dispute over President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order on federal elections. The…

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August 25, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Summer Conference

Judges and Local Experts Unpack Legal Changes Impacting Counties In Maryland

Between US Supreme Court decisions and outcomes and initiatives of the state courts in Maryland, county governments have a number of issues to track across a shifting legal landscape. During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, "Beyond the Bench: Legal Shifts Shaping Local Government," speakers helped county officials and other stakeholders understand what legal changes have taken place at both the federal and state level that county officials need to be aware of. Representatives from…

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August 18, 2026

Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Federal Judge Blocks NY Law Banning Masks for ICE Officers

In a recent decision, a federal judge, and Obama appointee, struck down a New York law banning face coverings for federal agents and a requirement to wear visible identification. A federal judge has temporarily blocked portions of New York's law restricting how federal immigration officers conduct enforcement operations while allowing another key provision to remain in effect. In an August 3 preliminary injunction, US District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino ruled that New York may not…

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August 6, 2026

Courts / Elections / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: When Is a Bet Not a Bet?

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top policy issues of the day. Prediction markets have quickly moved from a niche forecasting tool into the mainstream, with users trading on elections, sports, government decisions, and world events. Their growth has opened a difficult legal fight over whether states may regulate them as gambling or whether federal commodities law leaves that authority almost entirely with…

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July 28, 2026

Courts / Summer Conference

Birthright Citizenship Upheld as State Policies on Immigration Enforcement Move Forward

US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in 6-3 decision on Trump v. Barbara as state and local immigration enforcement policies continue to rollout. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara has preserved the longstanding principle of birthright citizenship, rejecting a recent federal effort to deny citizenship to certain children born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts from the majority opinion: Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely…

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July 27, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Summer Conference

Beyond the Bench: Legal Shifts Shaping Local Government at #MACoCon

The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and understanding the latest court decisions is essential for effective local governance. For county officials, staying ahead of legal developments is essential to making informed policy decisions and avoiding costly missteps. Recent court rulings and regulatory changes continue to reshape the authority, responsibilities, and day-to-day operations of local governments, often with significant implications for county budgets, personnel, public safety, land use, and service delivery. This session offers a valuable…

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July 20, 2026

Courts / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

MD Supreme Court Upholds Sanctions Against Maryland Department of Health

In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court of Maryland, upheld sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health, requiring payments to some local detention centers that incur the costs of the agencies non-compliance. As previously covered on Conduit Street, the Supreme Court of Maryland accepted a petition to consider whether the Appellate Court of Maryland acted within its authority when it imposed sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) for not complying with Maryland law. Yesterday,…

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July 16, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Policy Deep Dive

Where Do Things Stand With Maryland’s Pending Child Victims Act Cases?

As tens of thousands of Child Victims Act cases work their way through the courts, competing judicial decisions prompt additional considerations from higher courts and the Maryland General Assembly. Passing the Child Victims Act The General Assembly enacted the Child Victims Act (CVA) of 2023 to significantly expand the ability of survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue civil claims. The law eliminated Maryland's civil statute of limitations for claims arising from child sexual abuse…

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July 15, 2026