Baltimore's "baby bonus" struck down by Maryland Supreme Court

BALTIMORE -- A ballot proposal that would pay new Baltimore City parents $1,000 has been ruled unconstitutional by the Maryland Supreme Court. The question will not appear on the November ballot for city voters.

The Baltimore Baby Bonus campaign wanted the city to provide a one-time, $1,000 payment to new parents, whether through adoption or birth, in order to provide children and families with needed resources. The campaign collected more than the 10,000 signatures required to put the "baby bonus" on the ballot.

Organizers of the campaign estimated the program would cost the city $7 million per year.

The city opposed the initiative, saying it violates state and local laws by circumventing legislators, and that the city did not have the funds to sustain such payments.

In August, the Baltimore City Circuit Court deemed the baby bonus u nconstitutional.

After appeal, oral arguments were heard by the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. The justices took just one day to rule on the case, with election ballots scheduled for printing next week.

"Today's decision was the right one," the Baltimore Mayor's Office said in a statement. "While we've said from the beginning that we align with the goal of providing more Baltimore residents with access to guaranteed income, this proposal was not legally sound and should not have been on the ballot. We're grateful the Maryland Supreme Court agreed. It is our sincere hope that everyone supportive of this effort joins us in advocating for more guaranteed income programs, particularly at the national level."

Organizers of initiative react

Nate Golden, President of the Maryland Child Alliance, the organization behind the baby bonus ballot initiative, is still digesting the Maryland Supreme Court's decision.

"Our hearts really hurt for the children of Baltimore and future children of Baltimore," Golden said. "Baltimore had an opportunity to say every child born in this city will have the basic resources that they need to thrive."

The Maryland Child Alliance plans to regroup before announcing its next moves. Organizers said the full decision from the court, which could take months, will explain what could be possible for another round of efforts in 2026.