SB 984 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Correctional Services - Private Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement

SB 984 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from approving private companies to operate immigration detention facilities in buildings unless the facility's use is explicitly permitted by local zoning laws. It defines an immigration detention facility as any building housing individuals in involuntary custody, including those with perimeter security, locked areas, or controlled access points. Private operators violating this law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and the Attorney General can enforce the law through court action. The bill also applies retroactively to existing agreements for facilities intended for immigration detention, regardless of prior permits or construction investments.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 15, 2026 Last action Mar 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Correctional Services - Private Immigration Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement Third - Correctional Services - Private Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to broaden its scope from only prohibiting the use of buildings as immigration detention facilities to also including other real property. The definitions were clarified to explicitly include immigration detention facilities under the broader 'detention facility' definition, and the text was reorganized to improve clarity and consistency throughout the document.
Scope change
Expanded from buildings and structures to include other real property for zoning restrictions on private immigration detention facilities
SCOPE

Changed the prohibited use from 'building or structure' to 'building or, a structure, or other real property' to expand what types of properties are covered under the zoning restrictions

DEFINITION

Added explicit definition that 'detention facility' includes immigration detention facilities to clarify the scope of the law

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the article structure and renumbered sections for better organization and clarity

TIMELINE

Added committee report status, adoption date, and signature lines indicating the bill has been processed through the legislative process

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

3110
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 49
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic36
29 Yea 7
80% Yea
R Republican13
2 Yea 10 Nay 1
76% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (31-10-8)
senate
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 15, 2026
Committee
First Reading Senate Rules
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Will Smith
Will Smith
DDemocratic
MD
20