Our Services
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
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
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0016
Effective: Oct. 1, 2028
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0320 / HB0187
Effective: Oct. 1, 2026
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0323
Effective: Oct. 1, 2026
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0322
Effective: Oct. 1, 2026
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0241 / HB0115
Effective: Jan. 1, 2027
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.
✓ PASSED
SB0937
Effective: Oct. 1, 2026
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
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.
✓ PASSED
HB0557
Effective: July 1, 2026
HOUSING
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.
✓ 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.