Criminal Justice

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 220: Criminal Procedure - Lifetime Sexual Offender Supervision - Conditions, Violations, and Petitions for Discharge

SB 220 modifies Maryland's lifetime supervision requirements for certain convicted sexual offenders. It applies to individuals convicted of specific offenses against minors (like crimes committed against children under 13 or 16 years old), sexual violent predators, or those required to register under existing law. Key provisions include mandating GPS tracking, restricting proximity to schools or minors, requiring treatment programs, and imposing penalties for violations (misdemeanor for first offense, felony for repeat offenses with up to 10 years in prison). The bill also establishes a process allowing offenders to petition for discharge after five years of compliance with supervision terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens supervision for sexual offenders via GPS, proximity restrictions, and mandatory treatment to reduce recidivism, aligning with reform-focused criminal justice goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 349: Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Use of Body-Worn Cameras

HB 349 requires specific Maryland law enforcement agencies to mandate body-worn cameras for all sworn officers during public duties while in uniform. It applies immediately to the State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Howard County Police, and Harford County Sheriff’s Office, with all other county agencies required to comply by July 1, 2025. The law specifies officers must wear cameras "regardless of rank" during public interactions, subject to each agency’s existing camera policy. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter existing policies governing camera usage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for all officers during public interactions to enhance police accountability, a core criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 217: Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Alterations

SB 217 amends Maryland’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund to clarify its administration and distribution. It requires the Comptroller to manage the Fund under the Office of Social Equity’s direction, mandates counties to consult with community stakeholders and hold public hearings when adjusting fund distribution plans, and updates reporting requirements. The Fund, funded by cannabis tax revenue, directly serves communities disproportionately impacted by pre-2022 cannabis enforcement, directing funds to community-based organizations for programs like behavioral health services, job training, housing, and education initiatives. It prohibits using funds for law enforcement or replacing existing local government programs, while ensuring compliance through the Office of Social Equity. These changes refine how counties allocate funds to address historical inequities tied to cannabis criminalization, as outlined in Section 1-3A-03 of the Maryland Code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds community reinvestment using cannabis tax revenue, directing existing tax funds to targeted communities impacted by past enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs cannabis tax revenue to communities disproportionately impacted by pre-2022 cannabis enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing historical inequities through targeted reinvestment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement

Track

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

HB 566: Criminal Law – Distribution of Students’ Personal Information – Prohibition

HB 566 prohibits distributing a student's personal details - such as name, address, Social Security number, or school address - without their explicit consent (or a parent/guardian's consent if the student is under 18). It specifically targets situations where the distribution is done with intent to cause harm (like physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damage) or with reckless disregard for that risk. The law applies to students in secondary schools (grades 6-12) or postsecondary institutions and carries misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine for violations. Exceptions include journalistic reporting, academic activities, and disclosures required for campus safety or legal compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates criminal prohibition for misuse of student personal information causing harm, protecting civil rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in educational settings by prohibiting unauthorized sharing of personal information, enhancing safety and trust in schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sharing of student personal data without consent, directly protecting data privacy - a core technology policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education School Safety Data Privacy

Track

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

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 84: Criminal Procedure - Sentencing - Domestic Violence as a Mitigating Factor (Providing Alternatives Through Healing for Justice-Involved Individuals (PATH) Act)

HB 84 allows defendants in specific criminal cases to present evidence that they were victims of domestic violence and that this violence significantly contributed to their crime as a mitigating factor during sentencing. It applies to defendants charged with certain violent crimes, drug offenses, human trafficking, or property crimes where domestic violence was a key factor, but excludes murder, sexual assault, and some other offenses. Defendants must prove this by a preponderance of evidence, and courts must consider it when determining sentences, potentially reducing sentences below mandatory minimums or guidelines. The bill does not create new crimes, change maximum penalties, or affect victims' rights, and it requires courts to explain their reasoning if domestic violence is considered.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows domestic violence victimhood as sentencing mitigator for eligible crimes, promoting rehabilitation-focused alternatives over punitive measures, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Sentencing

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 634: Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)

HB 634 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific instruction on interacting with individuals with dementia or autism. It directly affects all entrance-level and in-service police training curricula across state, county, and municipal departments. Key provisions mandate training in six areas: locating wandering individuals, searching near water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The law amends Maryland's Public Safety Code to add these requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It focuses on practical, life-saving protocols rather than broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for vulnerable populations (dementia/autism) to prevent unnecessary force and improve safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 101: Higher Education - Loan Repayment and Scholarships for Correctional Officers

SB 101 adds correctional officers to Maryland's existing loan repayment and scholarship programs for public safety workers. It expands the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program (Subtitle 37) to allow correctional officers who work in state facilities for at least two years to get help repaying higher education loans. It also creates a new scholarship program (Subtitle 38) for students or current correctional officers pursuing relevant degrees, requiring a five-year service commitment after graduation. The bill directly affects correctional officers statewide by providing financial support for education and career advancement. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands loan repayment/scholarships for correctional officers, directly supporting workforce development in corrections, a core criminal justice component.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship program and expands loan repayment for correctional officers pursuing higher education, directly funding educational access and supporting students through financial aid.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands loan repayment/scholarships for correctional officers, providing direct financial support tied to employment in public safety, advancing worker benefits and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 412: Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Boards and Community Forensic Aftercare Program

SB 412 establishes Maryland’s Community Forensic Aftercare Program within the Maryland Department of Health. The program monitors two groups: individuals committed to the health department due to being "not criminally responsible" (often called "not guilty by reason of insanity" cases), and people with mental illness or intellectual disability requiring community monitoring under specific legal circumstances. Key mechanisms include creating a community monitoring board to decide on conditional release and out-of-state travel, and requiring licensed social workers ("Program Monitors") to track compliance with court orders and make health recommendations. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health codes to implement this program, focusing on safety and structured oversight for these individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes community monitoring program for mental health cases to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health aftercare program under health department, supporting community monitoring for mental illness cases per bill's focus on forensic mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 265: State Board of Elections - Address Confidentiality Program - Designation of Contact Person

HB 265 requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to designate a contact person for the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking keep their real addresses private. The bill mandates that local election offices use participants' actual addresses for election purposes (like absentee ballots) but must not disclose these addresses publicly except for law enforcement requests or court orders. The designated contact person will handle all inquiries from election offices and participants about implementing the program's rules. This bill updates existing election law to clarify administrative procedures for the program, effective June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims of crime by maintaining address confidentiality, aligning with civil rights and victim safety in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking