Car registration fees, vaping, more: Maryland residents react to new laws in effect in July

HAGERSTOWN, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Maryland’s new fiscal year took effect Monday — and with it came new laws.

One is the creation of an ombudsman in the prison system to oversee alleged abuses by correctional officers. An oversight board will administer this reform.

Also as of Monday, drivers must pay a $23 registration surcharge at the DMV.

“Twenty-three bucks? Well, it’s not 33, so you just deal with it,” Mike Williams of Smithsburg said with a laugh.

There are also new restrictions on vaping in public in Maryland — it is no longer allowed in workplaces or in areas where you would catch a bus or train.

Direct-to-consumer delivery of beer, wine and liquor is now legal — though there are annual limits on beverage deliveries per recipient.

“I think it’s going to be good,” said Rycyk, owner of the Liquor Locker on Dual Highway. “I’m getting calls from Uber and Lyft with this thing going through, so I think it’s going to be a great thing.”

Rycyk said the new law taking effect the week of the July 4 holiday bodes well for his business.

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