ACLU’s 2024 Legislative Priorities: Racial Justice Marijuana Reform, PAB Independent Investigatory Powers, Voting Rights, and Children’s Right to a Lawyer

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Removing criminal penalties for marijuana, enacting independent investigatory powers for Police Accountability Boards, passing a Maryland Voting Rights Act, and defending the right of children to a lawyer are among the ACLU of Maryland’s top legislative priorities for the 2024 General Assembly.

“In 2024, the ACLU will champion important, innovative issues we hope legislators will seriously consider this session, from passing a state Voting Rights Act to supporting meaningful avenues for release for Marylanders who have demonstrated their rehabilitation,” said Yanet Amanuel, public policy director for the ACLU of Maryland. “We must also protect past wins, like the right of children to consult with a lawyer before they are interrogated by police. We call on our elected leaders to not just react to headlines, but to engage in balanced discussions, informed by data, best practices, and the experiences of people doing the rehabilitative work that will improve public safety for all.”

The ACLU of Maryland is a non-partisan organization that exists to empower Marylanders to exercise their rights so that the law values and uplifts their humanity. The ACLU team in Annapolis is led by Public Policy Director Yanet Amanuel, along with Senior Education Advocate Frank Patinella, Public Policy Counsel Gregory Brown, and Public Policy Program Associate Olivia Spaccasi.

The ACLU priorities for the 2024 Session of the General Assembly:

• Eliminate criminal penalties for marijuana;
• Pass a Voting Rights Act in Maryland;
• Pass the Maryland Second Look Act;
• Remove the governor from medical parole; and
• Defend against attempts to repeal the Child Interrogation Protection Act and the marijuana odor search law.

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