Government Liability and Courts Archives

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Local Anti-Discrimination Law Takes Effect in Anne Arundel

A county initiative to improve civil rights protections in the jurisdiction looks to protect residents facing discriminatory practices by private and public employers and public accommodation providers. Anne Arundel County Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR) enabled their first ever comprehensive anti-discrimination law. The new law enables a number of different protections for residents. It prevents employers and public facility owners, managers, or employees from treating residents differently based on age, ancestry, citizenship, color,…

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June 11, 2024

Courts / Government Liability and Courts

ICYMI: Maryland State Bar Association’s Local and State Government Section Spring Institute

County attorneys and local government leaders joined the Maryland State Bar Association for its 2024 Local and State Government Section Spring Institute to discuss issues pertinent to jurisdictions statewide. As members of the Maryland Bar Association, county attorneys enjoy a number of resources available through the state association. The annual Spring Institute for the State and Local Government Section highlights speakers with a unique take on trends and updates that have a specific touch point…

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May 24, 2024

Education / Government Liability and Courts

4th Circuit Ruling Sides With School Board on Curriculum Authority

4th Circuit ruling affirms Montgomery County school board's authority on incorporating LGBTQIA+ books into English language arts curriculum. A group of plaintiffs in Montgomery County cannot require the school board to provide notice of LGBTQIA+ inclusive books or an opt-out option for their children following a 2-1 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on Wednesday. Judge G. Steven Agee authored the majority opinion where the 4th Circuit affirmed the parents…

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May 23, 2024

Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics

State and Local Collaboration at the Forefront of 2024 County Attorneys Conference

County attorneys shared time with the Office of the Attorney General, the Comptroller, esteemed members of the Maryland Courts, and the Public Service Commission during the 2024 MACo County Attorneys Affiliate Conference. The Maryland Association of County Civil Attorneys, also known as the MACo County Attorneys Affiliate, hosted their 2024 County Attorneys Conference at Great Wolf Lodge in Cecil County last week with a full agenda on May 16th. Affiliate President Roscoe Leslie, Worcester County…

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May 22, 2024

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Government Liability and Courts / Housing and Community Development

Anne Arundel Expands Civil Rights Protections Beyond County Employees

Anne Arundel County has enacted a substantial widening of its county-level anti-discrimination laws, granting its own Human Relations Commission broader range to hear cases involving private sector employment and housing discrimination cases. Bill 21-24, AN ORDINANCE concerning: General Provisions – Equity and Human Rights – Boards, Commissions, and Similar Bodies – Human Relations Commission, has passed the Anne Arundel County Council unanimously, and should be signed into law - as the bill as introduced at…

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April 18, 2024

Government Liability and Courts / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues

SCOTUS Rules on Local Impact Fees – Any MD Fallout?

"Impact fees" and related charges on new development to offset growth-related expenses were the subject of a recent US Supreme Court case. Maryland governments use impact fees and similar levies in multiple cases -- do our counties need to worry about this California case creating a ripple effect in far-away Maryland? (Spoiler: no, not really, we're pretty by-the-book here already) The public finance community was engaged when the United States Supreme Court took up a…

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April 17, 2024

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2024 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 446th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the budgetary limitations, many policy issues received a full debate, with many resolutions arising from the 90-day annual process. MACo’s legislative…

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April 12, 2024

Government Liability and Courts

2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability and Courts

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of government liability and courts in the 2024 General Assembly session. County governments enforce laws, employ county residents, and maintain facilities throughout Maryland. Therefore county governments may be subject to acting as defendants in court, litigating cases involving employment benefits, injuries sustained on county properties, and various other subjects. MACo advocates on behalf of county governments to clarify the unique role that…

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April 9, 2024

General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Evidence-Based Concern for Traffic Safety Amongst Legislative Proposals

Evidence backs up concern that Maryland's roadways are becoming more dangerous, as legislators propose new penalties and provisions to curb the number of deadly incidents. Following alarming reports at the end of 2023, citing the deadliest year on the state roadways in almost two decades, public officials turned a critical eye on how to make Maryland safer for drivers, riders, and pedestrians. With a little over two weeks left in the legislative session, a handful…

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March 22, 2024

General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Bill Severely Compromising Safety at School Bus Stops Moves Forward

A bill that mandates drivers to receive warnings instead of citations for driving through a school bus stop sign passed the House. School bus stop and school zone vehicle enforcement have been major topics of discussion during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, particularly in the Environment and Transportation and Judicial Proceedings Committees. Safety is the primary concern in these areas where young school children and motor vehicles are interacting multiple times a day, every…

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March 21, 2024