The State Fire Marshal would like to remind Maryland residents and visitors that using aerial luminaries, commonly referred to as “Sky Lanterns”, is prohibited throughout the State. The Office of the State Fire Marshal regularly receives requests from the public concerning these devices, typically constructed with oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, which are […]
COLA Increase Signed Into Law for 2020
On September 26, 2019, President Trump signed Public Law 116-58, which provides a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of 1.6 percent, effective December 1, 2019, for veterans disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for survivors and certain other benefits. VA compensation and DIC benefits are paid on the first of each month, for the […]
New Law October 1 on Sales of Cigarettes & Vapes
There has been an alarming increase in the use of tobacco products among our young people. To protect their health, Maryland has passed Tobacco 21 (T21), a new law that raises the minimum sales age for tobacco products, including vapes,JUUL® and other pod-based systems, to 21 years old. As a licensed tobacco retailer, you play […]
Crash Highlights Importance of “Move Over” Laws
A crash this morning in Montgomery County highlights the importance of motorists adhering to the state’s “Move Over” law. Shortly before 6:15 am, this morning, troopers from the Rockville Barrack stopped a suspected impaired driver on Interstate 270 North prior to Shady Grove Road. Four troopers were on the scene to assist with the suspect. […]
Maryland’s Move Over Law Expands to Service Vehicles
Law Takes Effect on October 1 Today the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration and AAA Mid-Atlantic joined partners including the Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland State Police, the City of Laurel Mayor and other emergency and public service agencies at the I-95 Laurel Rest Area to announce Maryland’s expanded Move Over law, which […]
Smoke Alarm Sales in Maryland Effective October 1, 2018
The 2018 Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 728 to state that: ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2018, A PERSON MAY NOT SELL A BATTERY OPERATED SMOKE ALARM IN THE STATE UNLESS THE SMOKE ALARM IS A SEALED, TAMPER RESISTANT UNIT INCORPORATING A SILENCE/HUSH BUTTON AND USING ONE OR MORE LONG–LIFE BATTERY. A “LONG–LIFE BATTERY” […]
Remember January 1st for New Smoke Alarm Law
A new state law aimed at reducing home fire deaths went into effect on July 1, 2013. It requires replacement of any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old with a unit powered by a 10-year sealed-in battery having a “Hush” button feature – ultimately affecting more than 800,000 Maryland homes […]
The Staples Law Group Challenge
Dan Rocha, Head of School at The Calverton School, announced on December 1, 2015 that Ted Staples and his law firm, Staples Law Group, LLC, has made a challenge gift of $25,000 to the school. The gift is to be used to support professional development for the teachers at Calverton and to motivate others to […]