Our Services

A Maryland state flag near a historic building with white columns and a dome at sunset.

Legislative Advocacy

Dews & Associates represents our clients in all levels of legislative and executive government affairs in Maryland, providing a variety of services, including:  

  • Drafting legislation and amendments 

  • Securing legislative sponsors  

  • Building supportive coalitions 

  • Preparing panelists for oral and written testimony

  • Tracking legislation and monitoring hearings 

  • Facilitating meetings with elected officials and state agencies 

  • Crafting requests and obtaining funding for capital requests 

A conference room with a large binder labeled 'BUDGET', financial charts and a pen on a table, American flags, a presidential seal, and portraits in the background.

Operating & Capital Budget Funding

We advocate for smart, strategic funding outcomes that support your mission. Our team works with the Maryland Legislature to secure appropriations for our client’s capital projects and ongoing operating expenses that fuel growth and long-term impact. Recent successes include:

  • $1,000,000 in capital funding for the Center of Urban Families for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, expansion, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the North Monroe Street building (Baltimore City)

  • $200,000 in capital grant funding for the renovation and improvement of the Maryland Troopers Association Headquarters property, including foundation and basement repairs and renovation (Baltimore County)

  • $6,200,000 in capital funding for the renovation and reconstruction of land and structures on and around the Bowie Race Course Training Center Property and Rosecroft Raceway (Prince George’s County) 

  • $750,000 in capital grant funding for the repair and reconstruction of water infrastructure improvements for the City of Bowie (Prince George’s County)  

  • $150,000 in general funds within the Maryland Department of Labor for the purpose of providing a grant to Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., to support Career Quest, a regional technical career fair for high school students (Howard County) 

  • $3,550,000 in general funds to maintain the Pre-Trial Home Detention Monitoring Program, ensuring that indigent defendants do not risk incarceration due to inability to pay.

These are key legislative wins from the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session. Each victory reflects our commitment to smart policy, equity, and meaningful impact for Marylanders.

Policy Wins


Simplified black and white icon of two adults holding a child between them.

FAMILY LAW REFORM

SB0016 / HB0142: Voter Restoration Upon Release (Sen. Sydnor / Del. Taylor)

Caps child-support wage garnishment at 35% for parents earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, helping lower-income parents remain employed while continuing to support their children.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0016

Effective: Oct. 1, 2028


Silhouette of a lion in profile view, facing left, on a solid black background.

EXPUNGEMENTS

Allows charges designated as “No Finding” to be eligible for expungement when the underlying charge is eligible. The law updates Maryland’s expungement statute so that thousands of residents are no longer unfairly barred from clearing records.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0320 / HB0187

Effective: Oct. 1, 2026


Silhouette illustration of three people with short hair and casual clothing.

YOUTH ADVOCACY

Removes first-degree assault and handgun possession from the list of offenses that automatically send children to adult court, prohibits children from being housed with adults, and strengthens statewide reporting requirements.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0323

Effective: Oct. 1, 2026


Simple black outline icon of a courthouse or justice building with a scale of justice symbol in the center

COURT REFORM

SB0322 / HB0414: Jury Service – Disqualification (Sen. Sydnor / Del. Roberson)

Restores jury-service eligibility to many Marylanders with criminal records, expanding civic participation and supporting a more representative jury system.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0322

Effective: Oct. 1, 2026


A ballot box with a piece of paper labeled 'VOTE' being inserted into it.

VOTING RIGHTS

SB0241 / HB0115: Voter Restoration Upon Release (Sen. Augustine / Del. Wilkins)

Automatically restores voter registration for eligible Marylanders upon release from incarceration, if they were registered before incarceration.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0241 / HB0115

Effective: Jan. 1, 2027


A silhouette of a house with a chimney, pitched roof, and several windows.

HOUSING

SB0937 / HB1073: Fair Chance in Housing Act (Sen. Henson / Del. Lewis)

Limits the use of criminal background checks by larger residential landlords, expanding access to rental housing for people with misdemeanors and most older felony convictions.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0937

Effective: Oct. 1, 2026


Outline of a web page with a profile picture icon on the left and lines of text on the right, on a black background.

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

HB0557: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process (Delegate Harrison)

Creates a predetermination review process that allows an individual to file a request with State Agencies to determine whether their criminal history would disqualify them from obtaining an occupational license or certification.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

HB0557

Effective: July 1, 2026


Black and white icon of a house with a chimney, door, and window

HOUSING

SB0657 / HB0919: Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program - Established (Sen. Henson / Del. Taylor)

Establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program within the Maryland Higher Education Commission to diversify the real estate appraisal field by providing grants to minorities who reside in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities.

Learn more about this win →

✓ PASSED

SB0657 / HB0919

Effective: July 1, 2026

Committed to Justice. Focused on Impact.

We will continue fighting for policies that create real opportunities for all Marylanders.