Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates unveiled his office's third legislative agenda at the Maryland General Assembly's Opening Day. Bates, now also the president of the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association (MSAA), is advocating for the Court Commissioners | False Statements bill with a focus on fairness and accountability in the criminal justice system. The proposed bill is a response to the arrest of rapper T.I. in 2023 from a warrant issued in Baltimore based on a court commissioner’s acceptance of a statement of facts from an individual, without any evidence or consultation with law enforcement or prosecutors. Bates expressed concerns, according to a statement obtained by the State's Attorney's Office, "As it currently stands, the court commissioner system is highly susceptible to abuse by individuals who may use this process as a weapon for personal vendettas."
The bill, named the "T.I. Bill," aims to refine the process and prevent the misuse of arrest warrants. Delegate Jackie Addison, who first introduced the bill in 2024 on behalf of Bates's office, looks to finally progress the bill out of committee. Addison told the State's Attorney's Office, "I hope we can finally move it out of committee during this session, pass it in both chambers, and have it signed into law."
In addition to the False Statements bill, the legislative agenda includes the Ny’Kayla Strawder Act, named after the 15-year-old fatally shot by a 9-year-old with an unsecured firearm belonging to their grandmother, who was later sentenced to incarceration. The act seeks to increase penalties for improperly storing firearms, proposing a term of three to five years of incarceration.
For a comprehensive view of the State's Attorney's 2026 Legislative Agenda, interested individuals can visit their website.
