Governor Wes Moore, joined by Senate President Bill Ferguson and Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones, recently presided over the second bill signing ceremony of 2025. Several public safety related bills were signed, including SB 432, the Expungement Reform Act. This newly enacted law is central to the Moore-Miller Administration’s comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety while simultaneously increasing access to meaningful opportunities for Marylanders who have paid their debts to society.
Photo Courtesy of The Office of Governor Wes Moore
“Our commitment to making Maryland safer relies on a holistic approach—one that integrates data, cross-agency cooperation, accountability, and both preventative and rehabilitative measures,” said Governor Moore. “With today’s bill signings, we’re taking firm steps to eliminate illegal firearms, offer genuine second chances, and broaden the scope of expungement. We’re determined to reduce crime, while ensuring that individuals who’ve turned their lives around aren’t unfairly blocked from housing, health care, or employment.”
Key legislation signed yesterday includes:
This legislation significantly broadens the scope of expungement eligibility in Maryland, opening new doors for employment, housing, education, and professional licensure—particularly for formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed their sentences and demonstrated rehabilitation. It builds upon Governor Moore’s Executive Clemency Order, which pardoned 175,000 low-level cannabis possession convictions
This bill grants certain incarcerated individuals who have served at least 20 years a new chance to request a sentence review under the guidelines of the Juvenile Restoration Act.
The Protect Our Federal Workers Act
Designed to support federal employees during times of financial hardship, this legislation reconfigures the existing Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund. It expands the fund’s capacity to offer interest-free loans in addition to standard unemployment benefits for workers affected by widespread layoffs or government shutdowns. By enhancing this safety net, the state aims to provide quicker financial relief and greater stability for Maryland’s federal workforce during uncertain times.
Cannabis Reform Act – Revisions
This legislation overhauls Maryland’s cannabis regulatory framework concerning on-site consumption and cannabis-related events. The bill extends medical cannabis delivery authorization through July 2026, limits new on-site consumption license applications to social equity applicants, and grants local jurisdictions control over business hours and zoning for such establishments. It also permits on-site venues to repackage and process cannabis into single-serving products under strict standards and introduces new regulations and licensing structures for temporary cannabis events, including a fee schedule and vendor permitting process. Cannabinoid beverages are excluded from the general food tax exemption, ensuring they are taxed similarly to other cannabis products.
