Defending Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in Maryland
The Latest
39 Inspiring Women from Maryland History You Need to Know
More important and fascinating women are newly added to the latest edition of our Women’s History heroes celebration blog this year!
Press Releases
Jun 27, 2025
Supreme Court Requires Religious Opt-Outs from Secular Lessons in Public Schools
The decision could have far-reaching consequences for public schools’ ability to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that reflects the diversity of their communities, as well schools’ ability to implement any secular lesson plan that may trigger religious objections.
Apr 23, 2025
Maryland Enacts Second Look Act, Offering a Path to Reconsider Long Prison Sentences
Maryland officially enacted the Second Look Act (HB 853), an important step to giving incarcerated individuals sentenced as emerging adults a meaningful opportunity to seek sentence modification after demonstrating their rehabilitation and transformation.
Apr 09, 2025
Advocates Celebrate Passage of Second Look Act, Urge Continued Push for Justice
After years of tireless advocacy by families, formerly incarcerated people, and community leaders, the Maryland General Assembly has passed the Second Look Act (HB 853), providing a long-overdue pathway for sentence reconsideration grounded in rehabilitation, not retribution.
Featured Case
Our legal program works with state residents and partners to realize the promise of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, with a focus on using the courts to protect and expand the rights of Marylanders – especially those whose rights have not been respected in the past due to white supremacy ingrained in our justice system.
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Today, years of hard-fought civil liberty protections are under threat.
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