Criminal Justice

SB 483 (Clean Slate Act of 2026) automatically removes certain criminal records from public view without requiring individuals to apply. It affects people with eligible misdemeanor convictions (excluding domestic violence cases and specific assaults) that are at least 7 years old, or cases where all charges were dismissed (with at least 3 years elapsed since the outcome). The law requires the Department of Public Safety and the Judiciary to expunge all currently eligible cases by July 1, 2028, and then automatically process newly qualifying cases monthly starting August 1, 2028. Expungement means permanently removing all references to the case from electronic court records and the central repository, with no need for manual redaction.

SB 520 allows charter counties in Maryland to set property tax rates above their charter limits - via simple majority vote - to fund public safety budgets (like police and fire services). It requires that any excess tax revenue collected beyond the charter limit must be allocated solely to public safety, not other county programs. The bill applies only to charter counties (e.g., Baltimore County) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and legislature on tax rates and revenue usage. This changes existing tax rules by creating a specific exemption for public safety funding while maintaining other budget constraints.

Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.