Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 544: Courtroom Security - Minimum Adequate Security Standard

SB 544 establishes minimum security staffing requirements for all Maryland courthouses. It requires courthouse security providers to have specific numbers of qualified officers present during proceedings: one officer per courtroom for most cases (starting July 2027), two officers for cases involving incarcerated individuals or potential custody changes, and one additional officer for every four or fewer courtrooms per floor. Security officers must meet the qualifications for a special police officer under Maryland law. The standards phase in over time, with full implementation by July 1, 2029, and take effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects all Maryland courthouses and the security entities responsible for staffing them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes security standards for courthouses, protecting court operations within criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 241: Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration

SB 241 automatically restores voting rights for Maryland residents released from state correctional facilities who were previously registered to vote. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services must send weekly lists of released individuals (including new addresses) to the State Board of Elections, which then automatically reinstates their voter registration at the provided address. The bill prohibits disclosing that someone was restored through this process under public information laws. It directly affects people released from facilities like Patuxent Institution and Baltimore City Detention Center who were registered before incarceration. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and protecting civil rights post-release.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 115: Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration

HB 115 automatically restores voting rights for Maryland residents released from state prisons who were registered to vote before incarceration. The Department of Public Safety must send the State Board of Elections a weekly list of released individuals' names and new addresses, prompting the Board to reactivate their voter registration at their updated address. The bill requires the Board to send notification cards confirming voting eligibility and the right to update address or decline registration, while prohibiting public disclosure of how someone was restored through this process. This applies to all released individuals with prior registration who now reside in Maryland, effective January 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for released prisoners, advancing reintegration and civil rights - key criminal justice reform measure addressing post-incarceration rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 130: Task Force to Study Deed Fraud

HB 130 prohibits intentional fraud in property transactions, making it illegal to sell, convey, or lease real property you don’t own or to acquire property through deception, intimidation, or undue influence. It establishes criminal penalties (felony up to 10 years/$7,500 fine for major violations) and creates a new Deed Fraud Prevention Grant Fund to provide grants for identifying and preventing such fraud, including coordination with legal aid organizations. The bill also requires law enforcement to collect and analyze data on deed fraud incidents. These provisions directly affect property owners vulnerable to fraud, local governments seeking prevention grants, and law enforcement agencies handling related cases. The bill does not address broader housing policy but focuses on criminalizing specific fraudulent acts and funding prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a new Deed Fraud Prevention Grant Fund requiring state budget allocation to fund fraud prevention programs, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits deed fraud with criminal penalties and funds prevention efforts, strengthening enforcement against property crime.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 8: Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations

SB 8 prohibits using personal identifying information (like Social Security numbers or bank details) or AI-generated deepfakes - defined as computer images indistinguishable from real people - to cause harm, such as physical injury, emotional distress, or financial loss. It bans maliciously disclosing personal details via online services, assuming another’s identity for fraud (e.g., accessing healthcare or avoiding debt), and using devices that copy payment card data without consent. The law directly affects individuals or entities exploiting personal data or deepfakes for fraudulent gain, harassment, or harm. Victims may pursue civil lawsuits against violators, and the bill updates Maryland’s criminal law to address emerging threats from AI and deepfake technology.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits identity fraud and deepfakes causing harm, strengthening criminal law enforcement against tech-enabled crimes.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI deepfakes and misuse of personal data for fraud, directly enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections as defined in topic indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 162: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation

SB 162 repeals a deadline that previously prevented certain individuals from filing motions to reduce their prison sentences. It affects adults convicted as minors for crimes committed before their 18th birthday (and sentenced before October 1, 2021) or adults aged 18-25 convicted of non-violent offenses (not life sentences, sex offenders, or murder involving first responders). The bill removes the October 2021 cutoff, allowing eligible individuals to file motions regardless of when they were sentenced. If approved, courts must hold a hearing where the person can present evidence, and victims may submit impact statements without cross-examination. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals deadline blocking sentence reduction motions for eligible non-violent offenders and juvenile offenders, enabling judicial review to reduce sentences - directly advances criminal justice reform by expanding post-sentence review options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 294: Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

SB 294 requires courts and parties in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to redact identifying information (like names, addresses, or details that could reveal identity) from court filings and records involving victims of sexual assault or stalking. It directly affects these victims by preventing public disclosure of their personal details in court documents, unless a court finds "good cause" to allow it. The bill mandates that courts automatically redact such information upon request from a victim of sexual assault or stalking, and prohibits disclosure to nonparties without redaction. This applies to all court filings, including charging documents, and covers both current and existing case records. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy in court proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 81: Criminal Law - School Resource Officers - Prohibition on Sexual Activity with Students

SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits SRO misconduct, enhancing police accountability and protecting students - directly strengthens oversight of law enforcement conduct within schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits SROs from sexual misconduct with students, enhancing school safety and student protection within K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 320: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding

This bill expands Maryland's expungement options by allowing individuals to have certain criminal records sealed if their case ended without a conviction. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 10-110(j)) permitting expungement for cases disposed of with a "no finding" designation or formally terminated without a finding by the court. This directly affects people who completed diversion programs or had cases dismissed without a formal conviction, such as in pretrial diversion or dismissals without judgment. The change modifies existing expungement law to include these non-conviction dispositions, making it easier for affected individuals to clear their records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement for non-conviction cases (e.g., dismissed/diversion), reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 108: Division of Correction - Volunteer Services Program

HB 108 establishes the Release Preparation Program within Maryland's Division of Correction to help formerly incarcerated individuals prepare for release. The program allows these individuals to schedule visits to state correctional facilities for support, with schedules requiring written notification to the Division of Correction and public availability. It amends the Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Fund to specifically cover costs for this program, adding it to the fund's authorized uses. The bill requires the Division of Correction to approve protocols for the program and prohibits denying scheduled visits unless they interfere with facility operations. The program will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes Release Preparation Program to aid reentry, reducing recidivism through structured support and funding via Cannabis Fund, aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice