Sandy Bartlett

Sandy Bartlett is an American politician and attorney currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 32. A member of the Democratic Party, she has been in office since January 2019. Throughout her legislative career, Bartlett has focused on various issues, including criminal justice reform, education, gun policy, and social equity.

Early life and career

Sandy Bartlett was born on January 6, 1966, in Washington, D.C. She pursued her higher education at Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1987. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended classes at both the University of San Diego and Catholic University of America. Bartlett later obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University in 2007.

Her professional career began in the legal field, where she worked as an intellectual property attorney for several law firms in the Washington, D.C. area from 2000 until 2015. In 2016, she established her own law office and began serving as an adjunct professor at Anne Arundel Community College. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2014 and the Federal Bar in 2016.

Bartlett's involvement in politics began in 2006 when she became an alternate member of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee. She served in this capacity until 2010, when she was elected as a full member of the committee. During this time, she also joined the West County Democratic Central Club and the District 32 Democratic Club. In August 2017, Bartlett announced her candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 32. Her campaign was part of a slate that included other Democratic candidates, and she successfully won the primary election in June 2018. Bartlett then went on to defeat her Republican opponents in the general election, securing her position in the legislature.

Legislative service

Sandy Bartlett was sworn into office on January 9, 2019. Since her election, she has been a member of the Judiciary Committee, where she has held significant leadership roles. She served as the vice chair of the committee from 2023 to 2025 and became the chair in December 2025, making history as the first African American and the first woman to hold this position. Additionally, she has been a deputy majority whip since 2020, further solidifying her influence within the legislative body.

In 2020, Bartlett made history again by becoming the first Black woman to chair the Anne Arundel County Delegation, temporarily stepping in for another member during a meeting. Later that year, she was elected to the position, marking another milestone in her political career.

Throughout her time in the Maryland House of Delegates, Bartlett has focused on a range of legislative issues. She has introduced and supported various bills aimed at reforming criminal justice, enhancing educational resources, and addressing social issues. Her work has included initiatives to improve the treatment of underage defendants, support for mental health resources in schools, and measures to promote social equity.

Policy focus and district

Sandy Bartlett's legislative agenda reflects her commitment to addressing critical issues within her district and the state of Maryland. One of her primary areas of focus has been criminal justice reform. During the 2020 legislative session, she introduced legislation aimed at automatically enrolling inmates who complete their sentences into voter rolls. She has also advocated for regulations on police use of force and introduced measures to limit the authority of school resource officers in handling student arrests.

In 2021, Bartlett introduced a bill to protect underage defendants from police interrogation without legal counsel, which successfully passed into law. Her advocacy continued with the introduction of the Child Interrogation Act, aimed at safeguarding the rights of minors in the justice system. Additionally, she has supported legislation to restrict the housing of children charged as adults in adult jails and to raise the minimum age for automatic adult charges.

Bartlett's focus on education includes initiatives to enhance mental health support in schools. She supported a pilot program to hire social workers in elementary and middle schools to assist students facing behavioral, social, or legal challenges. This initiative reflects her understanding of the importance of addressing the mental health needs of young people in her district.

Gun policy has also been a significant area of concern for Bartlett. In 2023, she introduced Jaelynn's Law, which mandates safe storage of firearms to prevent access by children. This legislation was signed into law by the governor, demonstrating her commitment to addressing gun safety in the community. She has also publicly condemned actions that undermine gun control efforts, emphasizing the need for responsible gun ownership.

In terms of immigration policy, Bartlett has supported legislation aimed at limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. She has expressed opposition to policies that separate families and has worked to ensure that local jurisdictions do not engage in agreements that facilitate such actions.

Bartlett's legislative efforts extend to social issues as well. She voted in favor of measures to allow palliative care for terminally ill patients and supported the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hair style and texture. Her advocacy for marginalized communities is evident in her support for legislation protecting child victims of trafficking and her efforts to promote diversity in media organizations.

Overall, Sandy Bartlett's tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates has been marked by her commitment to addressing a wide range of issues that impact her constituents and the broader Maryland community. Her legislative work reflects her dedication to social justice, education, and public safety, as she continues to serve the needs of District 32.