Keeping schools as well as our local and online communities safe
Technology presents some of our greatest opportunities and greatest threats. It’s critical for Maryland to develop modern laws that anticipate and stay ahead of emerging trends – establishing a tech-savvy and pliable foundation to continually keep Maryland families safe.
In 2014, I wrote Grace’s Law – one of the toughest anti-cyberbullying laws in the nation and a model other states have followed – to keep our children safe from online predators and bullies. In addition, I sponsored and supported common-sense measures to protect Marylanders from gang and gun violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Gun Safety
Young Marylanders
Young Marylanders
Gun violence is an existential threat to our schools, workplaces, and homes. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, an average of 743 people die of gun violence in Maryland each year, and crime rates are disproportionately high in Baltimore. Del. Cardin is proud to support the state’s ongoing efforts to prevent gun violence through common-sense reforms.
- Del. Cardin is a supporter of the Governor’s Firearms Safety Act of 2013, the Maryland assault weapons ban, and 2023 legislation to tighten restrictions on who can purchase handguns.
- A leading voice for combating gang violence in our community, a supporter of the Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007 which established tougher accountability measures for schools to monitor gang involvement.
Young Marylanders
Young Marylanders
Young Marylanders
Today’s hostile digital landscape puts our children at risk of online harassment, cyberbullying, and other attacks that use social media to take advantage of vulnerable citizens. Del. Cardin is committed to creating the safest schools, online communities, and public spaces possible.
- Supporter of Megan’s Law, which set tougher penalties for sex offenders, rapists and child abusers.
- Along with being author and sponsor of Grace’s Law, one of the toughest anti-cyberbullying laws in the nation, led the passage of a bill requiring every school to develop a plan to combat bullying.
- A leader in the fight to end the devastating effects of human trafficking. I co-sponsored legislation to strip convicted human traffickers of the profits from their crimes, and helped ensure that youth victims of sex trafficking are not prosecuted for crimes they committed as a result of their circumstances.
- Co-sponsored legislation that creates a clear path for courts to authorize preventative measures against child abduction.