Melissa Wells (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melissa Wells
Wells in 2024
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 40th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2019 Serving with Marlon Amprey, Frank M. Conaway Jr.
Preceded by	Antonio Hayes
Constituency	Baltimore City
Personal details
Born	(1983-10-03) October 3, 1983 (age 41)
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Baltimore, Maryland

Melissa R. Wells, born on October 3, 1983, is an American politician. She has been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019. She represents District 40 in Maryland.

About Melissa Wells

Early Life and Education

Melissa Wells was born on October 3, 1983. She went to the University of California at Riverside. In 2006, she earned a degree in political science and law and sociology. Later, in 2010, she received a master's degree in public policy from American University.

Career Before Politics

After college, Melissa Wells worked as a policy assistant. She was at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies until 2014. She also worked as a field advisor and a program associate. Currently, she is a regional director for the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Union.

Melissa Wells in the Maryland Legislature

Wells in the Ways and Means Committee, 2025

Melissa Wells became a member of the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. She first served on the Environment and Transportation Committee from 2019 to 2022. After that, she joined the Ways and Means Committee.

In November 2019, she tried to become the assistant majority leader. However, she did not win that election. Since 2020, she has been a Deputy Majority Whip. This means she helps make sure members vote the way their party wants. Since 2023, she has been the chief deputy majority whip.

Melissa Wells's Views on Important Issues

Criminal Justice and Policing

In March 2019, Melissa Wells voted against a bill. This bill would have allowed Johns Hopkins University to have its own private police force.

In 2021, she introduced bills about criminal justice. One bill would require prosecutors to get special training. Another bill suggested a public vote in Baltimore to give control of the Baltimore Police Department back to the city.

Environment

In March 2022, Melissa Wells voted for the Climate Solutions Now Act. This big bill aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030. She said she voted for it "reluctantly." She felt the bill did not do enough to protect workers' rights.

Gun Policy

During the 2019 legislative session, Wells voted against a bill. This bill would have allowed school resource officers to carry guns in Baltimore schools.

Housing

In 2021, Melissa Wells introduced laws to help people with housing. One law aimed to extend a state rule that stopped people from being evicted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another law would let judges delay eviction cases. This would give people time to find legal help. In 2022, she introduced a bill to allow judges to pause eviction cases. This pause would let people get legal representation.

Social Issues

In 2022, Wells introduced a bill about car insurance. It would stop car insurance companies from using a person's credit score to decide how much they pay. This bill was changed a lot after insurance companies spoke against it. It passed in the Maryland House of Delegates but did not get a vote in the Maryland Senate.

Transportation

In 2019, Melissa Wells introduced a bill about public transportation. This bill would set a monthly limit on how much people pay for Maryland Transit Administration fares.

Election Results

Melissa Wells has run in several elections. Here are some of her past election results.