In the first three weeks of the 2025 legislative session, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has presented testimonies in support of several critical pieces of legislation currently under consideration in the Maryland General Assembly.
These bills, which align with CAIR’s mission to uphold civil rights and advocate for marginalized communities, include SB291 Second Look Act, HB324/SB293 County Board Member Antibias Training Act, and HB165 Custodial Interrogation of Minors.
SB291 Second Look Act: CAIR strongly supports the Second Look Act, which establishes a process for individuals serving a term of confinement in Maryland to petition for a sentence reduction under certain conditions. This bill is important because it provides a structured and fair process for incarcerated individuals to seek sentence reductions based on rehabilitation, maturity, and changes in societal views on long-term incarceration. The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, and Maryland’s prison population disproportionately includes Black and Brown individuals due to systemic inequities in the justice system. Allowing second-look petitions creates opportunities for fairer sentencing outcomes and helps address excessive sentences that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
HB324/SB293 County Board Member Antibias Training Act: This legislation would mandate antibias training for all members of county boards of education, ensuring that decision-makers in Maryland’s school systems are equipped to recognize and address implicit bias. In a time of increasing reports of discrimination, bullying, and bias-based incidents in schools—including those targeting Muslim, Arab, and other marginalized students—this bill is a necessary step toward creating safer and more inclusive learning environments.
HB165 Custodial Interrogation of Minors: CAIR Maryland strongly supports the passage of this bill which would establish a rebuttable presumption that statements made by minors during custodial interrogations are involuntary and inadmissible in court when law enforcement intentionally uses false information to elicit them. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring fair treatment and due process for Maryland’s children, particularly Black and Brown youth who are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. The use of deceptive interrogation tactics on minors has been well-documented to result in false confessions, leading to wrongful convictions and lifelong harm.
“These bills reflect Maryland’s values and commitment to fairness, equity, and justice,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “As an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of all Marylanders, we strongly urge lawmakers to pass these measures, which will make our communities safer and more just.”
CAIR Maryland continues to monitor legislative developments and will remain engaged in advocacy efforts to promote policies that protect civil rights and advance justice for all. The civil rights group invites community members to register for this year’s annual Muslim Lobby Day to make their voices heard and encourage lawmakers to support bills that reflect the American Muslim community’s priorities.
SEE: REGISTRATION LINK: https://bit.ly/feb17registration
Registration Opens for 2025 Maryland Muslim Lobby Day
Co-hosted by CAIR, Prince George’s County Muslim Council, United Maryland Muslim Council, and the IMAN Network including over 30 mosques and organizations representing approximately 350,000 Maryland residents, this year’s lobby day will be held on Monday, February 17 at 5:30pm.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293