Criminal Justice

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 605: Public Safety - Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program - Establishment

HB 605 establishes a Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program within Maryland's Victim Services Unit to help eligible victims of gun violence relocate for safety. The program assists victims who experienced violence near their home or live near a suspect, and need relocation to protect themselves or their families, by providing relocation assistance, moving expenses, rent support, counseling, legal aid, and job training. It creates a dedicated nonlapsing fund to finance these services and requires the Victim Services Unit to keep applicants' personal information confidential. The program also mandates collaboration with housing and law enforcement agencies to ensure comprehensive support for participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes victim relocation program for gun violence survivors, providing safety support and services - aligns with victim-centered criminal justice reform95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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

HB 114: Motor Vehicles - Accidents - Required Testing for Impaired Driving (Mateo's Law)

HB 114, "Mateo's Law," requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents causing death or life-threatening injuries to submit to mandatory breath and blood testing for alcohol or drug impairment. It directly affects drivers detained by police who have reasonable suspicion of impairment (e.g., under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances) following such accidents. The bill mandates testing for blood alcohol concentration or drug content via breath (for alcohol) and blood samples, with police directing the tests under existing legal procedures. Medical personnel performing these tests are protected from civil liability for non-gross-negligent actions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates evidence collection for impaired driving in fatal/serious accident cases, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prosecute criminal offenses under criminal justice procedures.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates impaired driving testing after fatal/serious accidents, directly enhancing road safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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

HB 464: Criminal Procedure - No-Knock Search Warrants - Repeal

HB 464 repeals Maryland's existing law allowing no-knock search warrants, requiring law enforcement officers to always announce their presence and authority before entering a residence during a search. This directly affects police officers executing search warrants and residents living in properties subject to searches. The bill removes all exceptions permitting entry without notice, mandating that officers provide audible announcement of their authority and purpose prior to entry. It specifically repeals provisions in Maryland's Criminal Procedure and Public Safety codes that previously permitted no-knock warrants under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals no-knock warrants requiring officer announcements, enhancing police accountability and resident civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 563: Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against

HB 563 strengthens protections for law enforcement and search/rescue animals by making it a crime to harm them during their duties. The bill prohibits intentionally harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing emergency response animals (including police dogs, horses used by police, and search/rescue dogs), and adds penalties for these acts. Violations are classified as misdemeanors with fines up to $15,000 or jail terms up to 5 years, depending on the severity. This directly affects anyone who targets these animals while they are performing official law enforcement or rescue tasks. The law replaces an outdated provision that previously allowed intentional harm to such animals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly strengthens law enforcement protections by criminalizing harm to police/search-rescue animals, enhancing operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

HB 113: Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Resisting Arrest and Making a False Statement to a Law Enforcement Officer

HB 113 would allow individuals convicted of misdemeanor resisting arrest (§9-408) or making false statements to police (§9-501, §9-502) to petition for expungement of those records under Maryland law. It directly affects people with these specific misdemeanor convictions who currently cannot clear such records. The bill amends the expungement statute (§10-110(a)(1)(xii)) to add these offenses to the list of eligible misdemeanors. This change applies only to misdemeanor offenses (not felonies) and would take effect October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds misdemeanor resisting arrest/false statements to expungement eligibility, advancing criminal justice reform by clearing records for eligible individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

HB 362: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Effect

HB 362 clarifies that once a person in Maryland receives an expungement for a criminal offense, they are legally treated as if they were never arrested, cited, charged, or convicted for that offense. The bill directly affects individuals who qualify for expungement under Maryland law by removing the lingering legal consequences of their past record. Its key provision (added to Maryland's Criminal Procedure Code) explicitly states that expungement applies "for all purposes," ensuring background checks, employment screenings, and other contexts cannot reference the expunged offense. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, creating a uniform legal standard for expungement outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes legal barriers from past records via expungement, advancing criminal justice reform by enabling rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through 'all purposes' treatment.95% confidence

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

HB 495: Criminal Procedure - Immigration Arrest - Immunity in Connection With Court Proceeding

HB 495 provides legal immunity from immigration arrests for individuals attending court hearings as parties, witnesses, or as family/household members of such individuals. It prohibits immigration arrests during travel to, at, or from court unless authorized by a judicial warrant. Violations of this provision are punishable as misdemeanors (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) or felonies (up to 4 years in jail or $5,000 fine), and affected individuals can seek legal remedies including injunctions and attorney fees. The law directly affects people participating in court proceedings and their close relatives living in the same household, aiming to prevent immigration enforcement from disrupting court access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from immigration arrests during court attendance, protecting access to justice and civil rights within criminal proceedings.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits immigration arrests during court proceedings, protecting immigrant access to justice and limiting enforcement interference with legal processes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 196: Correctional Services - Medication Review Committee - Administration of Psychotropic Medication to an Incarcerated Individual

SB 196 establishes a medication review committee within Maryland's state correctional facilities' licensed mental health infirmaries to decide whether to approve administering psychotropic medication to an incarcerated person who refuses it, except in emergencies. The committee must review medical records, consider alternatives, and ensure the inmate's rights - including attending meetings, understanding treatment risks, and receiving a lay advisor - are protected before approving non-emergency medication. It requires staff to document treatment history and less intrusive alternatives before seeking committee approval, and mandates the committee determine if medication is necessary to prevent substantial risk of self-harm or dangerous behavior. This bill directly affects inmates in mental health infirmaries and sets new procedural safeguards for medication decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes committee to protect inmate rights regarding psychotropic medication, ensuring due process and medical alternatives in corrections, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes committee to protect inmate rights in psychotropic medication decisions, ensuring medical review and patient rights in mental health treatment within correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 321: Public Safety - Law Enforcement Agencies - Use of Body-Worn Cameras

SB 321 requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to mandate body-worn cameras for every sworn officer while they are in uniform, in public, and performing law enforcement duties. It directly affects all sworn officers across Maryland, with specific deadlines: named agencies (State Police, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Harford County) must comply by July 1, 2023, and other county agencies by July 1, 2025. Agencies must develop their own policies governing camera use, but the mandate applies uniformly regardless of an officer’s rank. The bill amends Maryland’s public safety code to establish this requirement, focusing on transparency during public interactions. It does not specify data retention or public access details, only the operational mandate for officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for officers to enhance police accountability and transparency, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags Public Safety

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