Md. lawmakers end session by banning private ICE jails, removing governor from parole decisions

Maryland’s General Assembly capped a legislative session focused on systemic inequity Monday night by passing a string of liberal priorities, stripping control of parole decisions from the governor, banning for-profit immigration detention centers and requiring the planting of 5 million trees in the state over the next 10 years. The 90-day session was largely defined by fixing long-standing social unfairness in education, health and criminal justice. In addition to a landmark policing overhaul, lawmmakers sought to bolster civil rights and aid for immigrants and assist those most devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.