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SB 629

Relating to: legal action against certain private postsecondary schools.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dianne Hesselbein and 3 co-sponsors

MD Appellate Court may hold oral arguments at campuses statewide; Chief Judge may designate sessions with host schools, boosting public access and civic education (Oct 1, 2025).

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 629

SB 629 — Appellate Court of Maryland — Sessions at Educational Institutions

Status: Referred to Judiciary (introduced Feb 20, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee (By Request — Maryland Judicial Conference)
Effective date (as provided in bill): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

To expand where the Appellate Court of Maryland may hold oral argument sessions so the court can sit at secondary and postsecondary educational institutions across the State. The change is intended to promote public understanding of the appellate process and to provide educational opportunities for students, faculty, and local communities.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article — Courts and Judicial Proceedings, §1‑403.
  • Current authority: the Appellate Court must hold sessions in Annapolis, with express authorization to hold sessions at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus and the University of Baltimore (in conjunction with law school deans).
  • New authorization: the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court—“in conjunction with the administrations of secondary and postsecondary educational institutions in the State”—may designate and schedule sessions of the Appellate Court at those secondary and postsecondary institutions.
  • Other statutory provisions about panel size, quorum, and the court’s minimum months of session activity are not substantively changed.
  • Bill includes an October 1, 2025 effective date.

Who or what would be affected

  • Appellate Court of Maryland: gains discretion to conduct sessions off-site at schools and colleges.
  • Secondary and postsecondary educational institutions: may host appellate sessions in coordination with the court, providing local access to appellate proceedings.
  • Students, faculty, and the general public: increased opportunities to observe oral arguments and engage with the judiciary.
  • State/local budgets: minimal operational implications; hosting and logistics would require coordination but no material fiscal effect is expected (see Fiscal Note).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced (per bill header): Feb 20, 2025; assigned to Judiciary.
  • Bill text provides an effective date of October 1, 2025.
  • Fiscal and Policy Note (Maryland Department of Legislative Services) concluded the bill does not materially affect State or local finances.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Educational benefits: greater civic education and transparency by bringing appellate proceedings to diverse campuses and communities.
  • Logistics: scheduling, courtroom space, security, audio/video equipment, and public notice will require coordination between the court and host institutions; costs are expected to be minor and manageable within existing operations.
  • Judicial discretion: the Chief Judge retains control over designation and timing, and sessions remain subject to existing rules governing how the Appellate Court convenes and decides cases.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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