Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 752: Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

SB 752 establishes a 15-member Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland's criminal justice system. The Commission, appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and criminal justice stakeholders, will examine how African Americans, Hispanics, and other non-White individuals experience differences in policing, arrests, sentencing, and other system stages. It must study issues like mandatory minimums, risk assessment tools, felony murder doctrine, and data collection methods, then hold public hearings and submit recommendations. The bill does not change laws but creates a body to analyze systemic inequities and propose reforms. This affects all Marylanders interacting with the criminal justice system by directing a formal review of racial bias patterns.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study racial disparities in criminal justice, directly promoting reform through data collection on policing, sentencing, and systemic inequities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

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

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 988: Judicial Facilities - Stops, Detentions, and Arrests - Limitations

SB 988 prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals for civil offenses (such as traffic tickets or unpaid fines) within judicial facilities (like courthouses) or within one mile of them while traveling to attend a court proceeding. Police must notify the judge beforehand and avoid disrupting court activities to stop someone for a civil matter in these areas. Evidence obtained from violating this law is inadmissible in court, and affected individuals can sue for damages or seek court orders. The Attorney General may also file lawsuits to stop ongoing violations of the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police from arresting for civil offenses in court areas, protecting civil rights and promoting accountability in judicial settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 944: Correctional Services - Reentry Readiness Program

SB 944 establishes a Reentry Readiness Program within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration. It requires the Department to collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Administration, Vital Records, and the Department of Labor to help "returning citizens" (those expected to be released within 90 days) secure job training, obtain birth certificates, and apply for photo IDs or driver's licenses. Key timelines include: 90 days before release for job training enrollment, 60 days for ID/license forms, and 30 days for verification of completed assistance. The program mandates concrete support to address immediate barriers to reintegration, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates reentry program with job training, ID/birth certificate assistance to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides job training assistance and ID services for returning citizens through Department of Labor collaboration, directly advancing employment readiness and workforce integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Workforce Development

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1484: Child Sex Offenders - Plea Agreements and Places for Children

HB 1484 prohibits prosecutors from entering plea agreements that dismiss charges for offenses against minors (Section 3-1104). It also bans individuals convicted of offenses against minors requiring sex offender registration from knowingly operating or entering "places for children" like playgrounds, theme parks, or children's museums (Section 11-722.1). This directly affects prosecutors who can no longer dismiss such charges and convicted sex offenders who target minors. Violating the place restriction is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits dismissing minor sex offense charges and restricts registered offenders from children's venues, strengthening accountability and child protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1406: Criminal Law - Self-Defense - Prior Acts by Victim

HB 1406 amends Maryland's self-defense law to allow defendants charged with murder, manslaughter, or specific crimes under Title 3 to claim self-defense without proving the danger was imminent. It directly affects individuals facing these charges who can now assert self-defense if the victim previously committed an assault (any degree) or sexually assaultive behavior against them. The key change removes the requirement that defendants prove they believed danger was immediate, based solely on the victim's prior acts. This applies only to cases where the victim's prior conduct matches the specified offenses in the bill. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands defendant rights by removing imminence requirement for self-defense claims in prior assault cases, aligning with criminal justice reform to prevent wrongful convictions and protect victims of abuse.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 743: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

HB 743 removes the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement when defendants violate standard home detention conditions (like missing check-ins or curfew). The bill directly affects these monitoring agencies and local law enforcement agencies, as it repeals the existing law mandating such notifications for most violations. Key provisions now only require agencies to notify courts and law enforcement within 1 hour for equipment tampering or immediately for entering prohibited areas. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating routine notifications while maintaining urgent response protocols for specific safety risks. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals requirement for monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement of most home detention violations, weakening oversight and accountability in criminal justice monitoring.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 678: Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Affidavit for Judicial Authorization

SB 678 modifies the affidavit requirements law enforcement must submit to obtain court authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It requires a sworn affidavit stating: the perpetrator's identity is unknown; the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or a serious public safety threat; standard DNA testing from the forensic sample (collected at a crime scene, from a person/item related to the crime, or unidentified remains) already failed to identify a suspect; and reasonable investigative leads were pursued (unless an ongoing threat exists). The bill defines FGGS as analyzing crime scene DNA to create a profile, searching public genealogy databases, and using public records to identify suspects. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts in Maryland, streamlining the authorization process for FGGS in specific serious unsolved cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches, adding oversight to protect civil rights during investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 640: Criminal Procedure - Postconviction Release - Crimes Resulting in Death of Young Victim

SB 640 prohibits courts from releasing defendants after conviction but before sentencing or appellate review if they were convicted of specific crimes resulting in the death of a victim under 14 years old. It applies to cases involving: (1) a "crime of violence" under Maryland law, or (2) a violation of child neglect laws (§ 3-602.1) that caused the victim’s death. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses who would otherwise be eligible for pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and modifies Maryland’s postconviction release procedures under Article 5, Section 5-301.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts pre-sentencing release for defendants convicted of crimes causing death of young victim, reducing defendant rights and increasing custody time.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1605: Compensation for Individuals Erroneously Convicted - County Cost-Sharing - Repeal

HB 1605 repeals a provision requiring counties to pay 50% of compensation costs for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Currently, counties covered half the state's compensation payments under Maryland law; this bill shifts the full financial responsibility to the state. The change directly affects wrongly convicted individuals (who continue to receive full compensation) and county governments (which no longer bear 50% of the costs). The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the compensation calculation or benefits provided to affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts full compensation responsibility to state for wrongful convictions, ensuring victims receive full redress without county cost barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

Track