Government Liability and Courts Archives

Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Statewide Speed Camera Report Offers New Insights on Habitual Offenders

A new evaluation from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) finds that automated speed enforcement continues to reduce speeding at camera locations while also shedding new light on the relatively small number of drivers responsible for the state's most serious speeding violations. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recently released its Evaluation of Speed Monitoring Systems, offering lawmakers and local officials a comprehensive look at how automated speed enforcement is performing across the…

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July 21, 2026

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 / 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

Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Montgomery Deploys Highly Visible Speed Cameras to Support Traffic Safety Goals

Local students partner with the Montgomery County Police Department to paint speed cameras with bright colors to help draw driver attention and increase roadway safety. Montgomery County is expanding its automated traffic enforcement program with a new set of speed cameras, including bullet-resistant mobile units that have recently been installed. The deployment is part of a broader initiative to add new speed cameras throughout the county, including some fixed cameras in school zones and other…

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July 7, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections

Attorney General Releases Guidance on Community Trust and Data Privacy Acts

Attorney General Anthony Brown has made guidance available for the implementation of the Community Trust Act and Data Privacy Act but it is not just for public safety officials. It includes vital information, regarding the Data Privacy Act, about all Public Information Act requests made to any division of county government. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has released updated guidance for state and local public safety agencies outlining their responsibilities during federal immigration enforcement activities.…

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June 29, 2026

Government Liability and Courts

County Attorneys Conference Highlights State Collaboration and Cyber Threat Preparedness

Maryland county attorneys gathered in Easton, MD for MACo’s 2026 Attorneys Affiliate Conference to discuss emerging legal trends, cybersecurity, taxation, public safety partnerships, and the impacts of the 2026 legislative session. County attorneys from across Maryland gathered in Easton last week for the 2026 MACo Attorneys Affiliate Conference, a day-long program focused on the evolving legal, operational, and intergovernmental challenges facing local governments. Held at the Tidewater Inn, the conference brought together county attorneys and…

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May 27, 2026

Feature / Government Liability and Courts / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: High Court Reins in County Claims in Public Harm Cases

The Maryland courts have ruled that there is no broad "public nuisance" avenue available in Maryland law to target potential causes of public harm. While Maryland Supreme Court justices differed over local government's right to recover damages from opioid distributors under a common-law claim of public nuisance, the majority opinion effectively barred a county's claim of this type, with other justices expressing concern that the majority went too far and applied inconsistent logic in the…

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May 20, 2026

Courts / Government Liability and Courts

SCOTUS Orders List Includes Under-the-Radar Decisions With Broad Impact

Tracking decisions during a US Supreme Court term is vital to staying on top of implications for counties, but not all decisions with local government impacts make the headlines. The orders list can be a very useful tool to catch the most recent decisions quickly, particularly those where sweeping guidance for lower courts is issued without argument. Recent activity at the U.S. Supreme Court underscores why local governments need to closely track not just major…

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May 5, 2026

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2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Public Information

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of government liability and public information in the 2026 General Assembly session. Local governments operate at the intersection of transparency, accountability, and legal responsibility. Counties are charged with managing public information, upholding ethical standards, and navigating legal risks across a wide range of functions. From responding to public records requests to defending against liability claims, counties must balance open government requirements with…

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April 15, 2026