Criminal Justice

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 907: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Assault

This bill creates a new misdemeanor offense called third-degree assault in Maryland, which prohibits intentionally causing offensive contact, attempting to cause such contact, or engaging in conduct meant to make someone fear offensive contact. The law defines offensive contact as nonconsensual physical contact that a reasonable person would find offensive, but explicitly excludes contact that causes physical injury, creates a risk of serious injury, or involves domestic or sexual crimes. People convicted of this offense could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. The bill also updates legal procedures by clarifying how third-degree assault charges must be written in court documents and ensures that physical injury from a third-degree assault cannot be used as a defense against that charge. Additionally, it adjusts jurisdiction rules so that District Courts handle third-degree assault cases exclusively.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor offense for offensive contact, strengthening criminal justice by expanding protections against unwanted physical contact while excluding serious crimes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1311: Higher Education – Student Financial Assistance for Incarcerated Individuals – Alterations

HB 1311 requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety to help incarcerated individuals access federal Pell Grants and state student financial aid. It mandates that correctional facilities assist eligible incarcerated people in applying for these funds and explicitly states that financial aid established under Maryland law must be available to those meeting eligibility criteria. The bill affects incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities, directing the Department to collaborate with the Maryland Higher Education Commission and specific higher education institutions to facilitate access. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, without creating new funding but altering access procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables incarcerated individuals to access education funding, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands educational access by requiring correctional facilities to assist incarcerated individuals in accessing financial aid for higher education, removing barriers to post-secondary opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 450: Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

HB 450 protects victims of sexual assault or stalking by requiring courts and parties in criminal or juvenile cases to redact identifying information (like names or addresses) from public court records and filings. It directly affects victims, courts, and legal parties by prohibiting disclosure of such information to nonparties unless the court finds "clear and convincing evidence" of good cause to allow it. The bill mandates redaction of victim identifiers in all filings - including charging documents - and requires courts to redact existing records upon written request from the victim. Exceptions only apply when a court specifically authorizes disclosure after reviewing evidence of necessity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims' identities in court records, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform by preventing re-victimization and encouraging reporting.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 417: Criminal Law - Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substances - Medetomidine and Xylazine

HB 417 (Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act) regulates the sale of veterinary drugs medetomidine and xylazine. It prohibits retailers from selling these products without proof the buyer intends to use them for veterinary, scientific, or institutional purposes, and bans sales to anyone under 21. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including age verification and proof of intended use. Violations carry civil fines up to $6,500 per offense, with penalties deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The bill directly affects pharmacies, veterinary suppliers, and online retailers selling these specific products.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates sale of veterinary drugs used in fentanyl/xylazine mixtures, aiming to reduce drug availability and harm, supporting public safety and criminal justice reform efforts.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates veterinary drug sales to prevent human misuse, directly protecting public health through consumer safety measures under the bill's title and summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 514: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Assault

SB 514 redefines third-degree assault in Maryland as a misdemeanor involving intentional non-consensual touch a reasonable person would find offensive, excluding cases involving physical injury, domestic violence, or sexual crimes. It creates a new offense with penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine for causing "offensive contact," engaging in conduct that puts someone in fear of such contact, or attempting it. The bill also modifies expungement eligibility for certain convictions and clarifies court procedures for charging third-degree assault cases. It directly affects individuals committing non-injurious, non-domestic, non-sexual assault-like acts under this new standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedefines third-degree assault as misdemeanor for minor offensive touch (excluding serious cases), reducing criminalization of low-level offenses and modifying expungement to ease record clearance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 823: Correctional Services - Maryland Parole Commission - Members

SB 823 changes how Maryland Parole Commission members are appointed. It replaces the current process where the Governor appoints members with Senate approval, requiring instead a new panel to submit at least three nominees per vacancy. The panel includes specific officials (like the Public Safety Secretary and Public Defender) plus representatives from mental health, education, social work, community organizations, prisoners' rights, victims' rights, and the general public. This bill directly affects the Commission's membership structure and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reformulates parole appointments with prisoner/victim rights stakeholders, advancing equitable corrections oversight per reform indicators85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 577: Criminal Law - Firearm Crimes - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols

HB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill bans machine gun convertible pistols to prevent public safety risks, a direct measure supporting law enforcement and criminal justice goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 687: Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)

HB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects defendants' creative expression from misuse as evidence, strengthening civil rights and defendant protections in court proceedings per bill's explicit intent.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 282: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

This is a procedural budget bill (SB 282) that allocates $859 million in state funds for Maryland's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds state agencies including the judiciary (courts, public defender office, and legal services), legislative operations, and administrative offices. The total includes $771 million in general fund appropriations, $86 million in special fund appropriations, and $1.4 million in federal funds. This bill establishes the baseline funding for state operations but does not create new policies or affect citizens directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $859M for state agencies including judiciary and legislative operations, directly funding government spending and fiscal management per budget bill language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds judiciary (courts, public defender office) and legal services, core criminal justice components per bill summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 921: Juvenile Law - Confinement and Restrictive Housing - Limitations

HB 921 limits when minors in Maryland juvenile facilities can be placed in restrictive housing (isolation or special confinement). It prohibits using restrictive housing for discipline, punishment, or staff convenience, and requires facilities to use it only for immediate safety risks (like harm to self/others or facility security) for the shortest time possible (max 6 hours). Minors can request restrictive housing or withdraw that request at any time, and facilities must provide mental health screenings within 1 hour of placement. The bill also mandates that minors in restrictive housing receive the same access to phone calls, visits, medical care, education, and recreation as other minors, unless safety is at risk.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts punitive use of juvenile solitary confinement, mandates safety justification, limits duration, and prioritizes mental health - core criminal justice reform principles reducing unnecessary confinement.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health services during restrictive housing for minors, directly supporting mental health care access in juvenile facilities per bill's requirements.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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