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.
HJ 8 is a symbolic resolution apologizing for Maryland's historical role in racial terror lynchings. It formally acknowledges the state's complicity in 38 documented lynchings between 1854-1933, including failures to protect Black citizens, colluding with local governments to conceal perpetrators, and failing to pass anti-lynching laws. The resolution commits Maryland to taking reparative actions as recommended by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, though it does not establish new programs or allocate funds. It directly addresses the legacy of harm experienced by Black Marylanders and their descendants. This is a procedural resolution, not a law with enforceable provisions.
HB 1123 amends Maryland's criminal code to impose misdemeanor penalties for adults who store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where they knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. The law directly affects adult firearm owners responsible for storage safety, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exemptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement use during duty, or minors with valid hunter safety certificates. The bill explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases involving firearm-related injuries or property damage. This bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, prohibits landlords from requiring or considering a prospective tenant's criminal history before making a rental offer. Landlords may only review criminal history after extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies, rehabilitation, or mitigating factors. The bill also bans upfront criminal history checks, restricts discriminatory housing ads, and makes violations enforceable under Maryland's consumer protection laws. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants with past criminal records in Maryland.
SB 854 restricts federal law enforcement officers in Maryland to exercising powers only when acting in accordance with state law, requiring coordination with local agencies during joint operations or emergencies. It prohibits all law enforcement officers from engaging in racial profiling - defined as relying on race, ethnicity, or national origin in enforcement actions - while allowing such reliance only when describing a specific suspect in an active investigation. The bill mandates law enforcement agencies to develop and implement written racial profiling policies by a specified date and prohibits retaliation against officers who report such profiling. Violations allow for civil lawsuits and provide legal protections for whistleblowers reporting racial profiling incidents.
HB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1361 modifies Maryland’s criminal law regarding controlled substances and criminal organizations. It specifies that conspiring to violate controlled substance laws (including cannabis distribution) carries the same penalty as the underlying crime, and expands venue rules for prosecutions. Specifically, cases involving controlled substances or criminal organizations can now be tried in any county where acts occurred, operations were based, proceeds were held, or the defendant resides. This primarily affects prosecutors, defendants, and conspirators in drug-related and organized crime cases by clarifying where trials can be held. The bill does not change substance prohibitions but adjusts penalties and jurisdiction for related offenses.
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.
HB 1018 establishes minimum mandatory standards for the care, custody, and conditions of individuals held in Maryland's immigration detention facilities. It directly affects immigration detainees, facility operators (including private entities), and healthcare/security staff who must report violations. Key provisions require the Secretary of Public Safety to adopt regulations covering safety, housing, food, and rights; mandate facility inspections and annual certifications; and authorize the Commission to shut down facilities deemed life-threatening or health-endangering. The bill also obligates staff to report violations with disciplinary consequences for non-compliance and allows the Attorney General to sue private facility operators for violations.
SB 531 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting verbal acknowledgments from victims of sexually assaultive behavior that would limit investigations, prevent prosecutions, or restrict the victim's legal rights. The bill requires agencies to document any victim request to limit or pause an investigation and follow recommended practices for follow-up. Victims who believe the law was violated can seek court orders to address the issue. This law directly affects sexual assault victims interacting with police and mandates new policies for all Maryland law enforcement agencies by January 2021. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.
