Task Force to Study Deed Fraud
Sponsor: Malcolm P. Ruff (District 41)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 399 (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Establishing the Task Force to Study Deed Fraud; requiring the Task Force to review the incidence of deed fraud in Maryland, including the number of complaints, resolved deed fraud cases, amount of restitution awarded, and geographic and demographic trends; requiring the Department of Legislative Services to provide staff for the Task Force; and requiring the Task Force by July 1, 2028, to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.
AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.
Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (24)
MGA witness listFAV 12FavorableFWA 9Favorable with amendmentsUNF 1UnfavorableINFO 2Information only
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | DeMinco, Lynne | BCRW | Position only |
| FAV | Karczeski, Michelle | CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | El Amin, Mahasin | Clerk of the Circuit Court | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Gatewood, Nichole' | Hillsdale Heights Neighborhood Association | Oral |
| FAV | Ziegler, Natalie | House Rural Caucus | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Ward, Jada | N/A | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Carter, Alita-Geri | Qualequity Access | Position only |
| FAV | Delegate Ruff, Delegate Rufflegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Delegate Ruff, Delegate Rufflegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Harris, Mrs. | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Ward, Jada | Individual | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Kemerer, Hannibal | Maryland Office of the Public Defender | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | La Mell, Samantha | MLTA | Oral |
| FWA | O'Connell, William | MSBA Real Property Section | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Enten, Robert | Maryland Bankers Association | Oral |
| FWA | Richards, Evanlobbyist | Maryland Bankers Association | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Richards, Evanlobbyist | Maryland Bankers Association | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Glazer, Mark | Maryland Land Title Association | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Loveless, Joseph | Maryland Legal Aid | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | May, Lisalobbyist | Maryland REALTORS | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | May, Lisalobbyist | Maryland REALTORS | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Vormelker, Will | Maryland Judiciary | Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Harris, Rhea | OAG | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
BCRWFAV 1
House Rural CaucusFAV 1
Maryland JudiciaryINFO 1
Maryland Legal AidFWA 1
Maryland REALTORSFWA 2
MLTAFWA 1
N/AFAV 1
OAGINFO 1
Qualequity AccessFAV 1