Lobbyists, citizens come from across the state to push policy initiatives
Maryland Matters Feb. 10, 2026
Close to 100 criminal justice and housing advocates rallied in the cold on Lawyers Mall to highlight legislation to provide greater opportunities for people who were formerly incarcerated. The Clean State Act — House Bill 360 and Senate Bill 483 — would expunge some misdemeanor conviction.
Sheena Meade, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, said that about 407,000 adult Marylanders would be eligible if the bill passed. She said 13 other states have passed such initiatives, which she called “a people’s issue, not a politics issues” with bipartisan support led by House Majority Leader David Moon (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Mike McKay (R-Western Maryland).