DEATH PENALTY

Capital punishment will be limited to murder cases with biological evidence such as DNA, videotaped evidence of a murder or a videotaped confession.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Judges are required to order the confiscation of firearms from people who have final protective orders filed against them for as long as the order. Judges now have discretion to order the subject of a temporary protective order to give up firearms.

FLAGS

Flags of the United States or Maryland displayed on state property and purchased with state money must be manufactured in the United States.

GLOBAL WARMING

Maryland will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from calendar year 2006 by 25 percent by 2020.

HATE CRIMES-HOMELESS

Maryland adds homeless people to the state’s hate crime law, providing for stronger penalties for people who target homeless people.

INTERNET SAFETY

Internet access providers must provide parental controls to enable subscribers to restrict children’s access to certain Internet sites.

PET TRUST

Maryland residents can now set up trusts for their pets to provide for them after the owner’s death.

POLICE SURVEILLANCE

Authorities are prohibited from conducting covert surveillance unless police have reasonable and articulated suspicion of illegal activity. New law requires the head of the police department or a designee to approve any covert surveillance.

SEWAGE DISPOSAL

Homeowners who live within 1,000 feet of tidal waterways will be required to upgrade failed septic systems to prevent nitrogen pollution from entering the Chesapeake Bay.

SPEED CAMERAS

Speed-monitoring cameras will be allowed statewide near schools and highway work zones. Fines would be $40 on people who drive at least 12 miles over the speed limit in those zones.

TEEN DRIVERS

Teen drivers must wait three months longer to get a provisional license to 16 years, 6 months and a full license to 18.

TEXT MESSAGE BAN

Maryland drivers no longer allowed to send text messages while driving, with fines of up to $500 for violations.

TWEEN DATING

The state’s board of education will be required to encourage county boards of education to include specific lessons on dating violence into the county boards’ health education curriculum.