Gov. Martin O'Malley, seeking to highlight his administration's public safety efforts, agreed Tuesday to crack down on repeat drunken drivers, to catch speeders through automated cameras and to expand judges' power to take guns from domestic abusers.
The Democratic governor also signed into law a measure strengthening penalties for the possession of child pornography - a measure that critics worry could ensnare teenagers increasingly engaged in the practice of "sexting," or sharing nude images via cell-phone message. And he approved legislation creating a Silver Alert program to help find vulnerable seniors that's similar to the Amber Alert system for lost or missing children.
"There is no more important thing that we do in government than take part in protecting the lives of our people," O'Malley said during his final signing ceremony for bills approved by the General Assembly, which adjourned in April.
Other measures that became law addressed disputes that have ensnared law enforcement agencies in recent months. One bill prohibits the covert infiltration of protest groups without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. It was adopted after the American Civil Liberties Union uncovered a surveillance operation by Maryland State Police of anti-death penalty activists and other organizations.
Another law requires police departments to report on SWAT team activities after the mayor of a Prince George's County municipality had his home raided last summer. Police erroneously thought Mayor Cheye Calvo's wife was involved in drug trafficking, and shot and killed their dogs during the operation.
Several of the bills have rankled some lawmakers and advocacy groups.
One measure, to permit speed cameras and $40 fines for people caught driving at least 12 mph above the speed limit near schools and in highway work zones, has inspired a movement to have it overturned by referendum. Maryland for Responsible Enforcement, the group spearheading the effort, has so far gathered about 10,000 signatures, or about one-fifth of the number needed to put the question to voters.
O'Malley said that he was "agnostic" on the referendum drive. "Most people that I've talked to believe we all should be encouraged to slow down," he said.
The child pornography bill, which had prompted lengthy debate in the legislature, addresses possession of a film, videotape or photograph of a child under 16 years old engaged in sexual acts. It raises the maximum prison sentence for a misdemeanor first offense from two to five years, and makes subsequent offenses a felony punishable by up to 10 years.
