Every year, over a thousand bills are introduced into the Maryland General Assembly. How many of them can you name or describe?
It can often feel difficult to figure out what is happening in our state legislatures. However, knowing about the bills that our lawmakers are passing into law empowers Marylanders to exercise and protect their rights and privileges. The Maryland Access to Justice Commission (A2JC) and the Public Interest Law Committee (PILC) have created the “People’s Guide: 2026 Maryland Legislative Session” to fill the gap between what happens in the Maryland legislature and how newly enacted bills improve the lives of Marylanders and strengthen our communities. The People’s Guide identifies key issues—such as housing, immigration, and consumer protection among others—and explains in easy-to-understand language how new laws will help fix the problems that Marylanders face.
The People’s Guide emphasizes issues and bills that are especially helpful to those who face financial difficulties or who are part of communities with limited access to service. However, any Marylander can find and learn about a newly enacted bill that affects their lives in some way in the People’s Guide. For example, this year, the Maryland General Assembly passed new laws and reforms that keep your online data private, make it easier to find housing, and help prevent federal immigration enforcement from targeting vulnerable communities.
Staying informed about your state’s laws is not just a job for advocates, lawyers, or lawmakers. When ordinary citizens know what the law says and does, they are better able to improve their lives, support their families and communities, and stand up for their rights and future reforms.
The 2026 People’s Guide is the first edition of an evolving project. The Maryland Access to Justice Commission and the Public Interest Law Committee look forward to communicating and connecting with Marylanders in the years to come as we continue to advocate for an accessible, fair, and equitable civil justice system. Shore Legal Access works alongside the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, the Public Interest Law Committee, and advocates across Maryland to advocate for reforms benefiting Eastern Shore communities.