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During the 2025 General Assembly session, we advocated for three bills that our partner, CASA, deemed to be priorities. These bills were:

• Protecting Sensitive Locations, HB 1006, SB 828

• Data Privacy, HB 1431, SB 977

• Maryland Values Act, HB 1222

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During the session, the Protecting Sensitive Locations bill passed the Senate. However, neither the Sensitive Locations nor the Data Privacy bill were reported out of the House Judiciary Committee. Instead, the House amended HB 1222, stripping the requirement to end 287g agreements and substituting stronger sensitive locations language and some data privacy language. This bill passed the House and Senate and will go to the Governor. 

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The final HB 1222 adds more locations as sensitive, requires ICE to produce a judicial warrant to enter these locations and requires the Attorney General to develop guidelines for state-funded sensitive locations, including schools, health facilities, courthouses and more that these agencies must use to develop policies on how to deal with ICE. 

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Click here for the final version of the Maryland Values Act, HB 1222.

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Information about the original bills is below: 

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. (HB 1006 / SB 828) As you may know, in 2011 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issue a memorandum proscribing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering “sensitive locations” or “safe spaces” such as schools, hospitals, churches. On January 21, 2025, President Trump rescinded this memo, now allowing ICE agents to enter these facilities. The proposed state bill directs the Maryland Attorney General to develop guidelines for hospitals and other medical facilities, schools and educational spaces, courthouses and places of worship about how to respond to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempts to access these locations. 

Values Act (HB 1222) (Ending 287g Agreements.) This bill will terminate 287g Agreements, also known as Intergovernmental Service Agreements between ICE and local law enforcement agencies that “deputize” local law enforcement officers to serve, in effect, as ICE agents. Several counties – Carroll, Cecil, Fredrick, Garrett, Harford, St. Mary's and Washington – have 287g agreements. This bill seeks to end these agreements. Immigration enforcement is a Federal responsibility and Federal, not state or county resources should be used for this purpose. 

 

Data Privacy (HB 1431 / SB 977). Several years ago, we successfully barred the MVA from sharing data with ICE. Unfortunately, ICE may still obtain data about citizenship status from other state agencies, including hospitals, educational institutions. Immigrant families should be able to access critical government services without worrying that their information will be shared with federal immigration authorities. This bill will prevent ICE from accessing state or local databases without a judicial warrant. 

Additionally, we previously asked you to support the Dream Act Expansion (HB207/SB268) that reduced the tax year eligibility requirements for Dreamers’ parents and guardians from three years to two years for in-state tuition. Thank you for your support.