Melissa Wells (politician)

Criminal justice and policing

In March 2019, Wells voted against a bill that would allow Johns Hopkins University to have its own private police force.^[4][5]

During the 2021 legislative session, Wells introduced bills that would require prosecutors to undergo implicit bias training,^[6] and another that would create a referendum in Baltimore on transferring control of the Baltimore Police Department back to the city.^[7]

During the 2026 legislative session, Wells introduced a bill that would require explicit zoning approval before a private immigration detention facility could operate in Maryland.^[8]

Electoral reform

In February 2026, Wells supported a congressional redistricting map proposed by the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission that would redraw Maryland's 1st congressional district to improve the Democratic Party's chances of winning it, saying that the measure was a response to the second Trump administration, which she claimed was deprioritizing Maryland's workforce.^[9] That same month, she supported a bill that would replace the party central committee appointment process used to fill vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly with special elections held at the same time as regular state primary elections.^[10]

Environment

In March 2022, Wells said that she would "reluctantly" vote for the Climate Solutions Now Act, an omnibus bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030, saying that she felt that the bill "did not do enough to ensure strong labor standards".^[11]

Gun policy

During the 2019 legislative session, Wells voted against a bill that would allow school resource officers to carry guns in Baltimore schools.^[12]

Housing

During the 2021 legislative session, Wells introduced legislation to codify and extend the state's COVID-19 pandemic eviction moratorium until April 2022, and another that would extend judges' ability to delay eviction proceedings.^[13] In 2022, she introduced a bill that would allow judges to grant a recess in eviction proceedings to allow parties to seek legal representation.^[14]

Social issues

During the 2022 legislative session, Wells introduced legislation to prohibit auto insurers from using a policy holder's credit score to set rates. The bill was heavily amended following auto insurance industry lobbying^[15] before passing the Maryland House of Delegates and did not receive a vote in the Maryland Senate.^[16][17]

Transportation

During the 2019 legislative session, Wells introduced a bill that would cap Maryland Transit Administration fares at a monthly rate.^[18]