Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 885: Criminal Law - Causing Ingestion of an Abortion-Inducing Drug - Prohibition (Women's Freedom From Coercion Act)

HB 885 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest a drug that induces abortion when the person knows the other is pregnant and acts without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force. It directly affects individuals who attempt to compel another person to take such medication under these conditions. The law creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison for violations. The bill, titled the "Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act," takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for coercion in abortion context, expanding criminalization under criminal justice laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 676: Criminal Law - Threat of Mass Violence - Penalty

SB 676 upgrades the penalty for threatening mass violence from a misdemeanor to a felony in Maryland. It directly affects individuals who make threats via oral, written, or electronic communication that would place five or more people at substantial risk of death or serious injury if carried out. The bill establishes a felony charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, and requires convicted individuals to reimburse government agencies for response costs. Key provisions clarify the threat threshold (affecting five or more people) and expand court options for penalties beyond standard fines or imprisonment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades threat penalties from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization of mass violence threats and increasing mandatory sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 788: Criminal Law - Theft - Mail and Packages (Porch Piracy Act of 2026)

HB 788, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2026," prohibits stealing mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies (like FedEx or Amazon) without the recipient’s permission. It makes this theft a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The bill also requires courts to order convicted offenders to stay away from specific locations, including the crime scene, the victim’s home or workplace, and any other place the offender targeted during the theft. This law directly affects individuals who steal packages and the recipients whose deliveries are stolen, taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes porch piracy with felony penalties (up to 5 years), expanding criminalization and increasing sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 757: Theft of Mail and Packages and Victim Notification

HB 757 makes theft of mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects anyone who steals such items and requires prosecutors to notify victims or their representatives about key court proceedings, including DNA evidence status and case updates. The bill specifies that "victim" includes family members or guardians of minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. It streamlines notification through mailed forms or an electronic system while allowing victims to keep their contact information confidential. These changes aim to strengthen penalties for package theft and improve victim communication in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for theft (felony, 5-year sentence), expanding criminalization and aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 863: Gun Theft Felony Act of 2026

HB 863 reclassifies the theft of a firearm as a felony under Maryland law, previously treated as a lower-level offense. It establishes felony penalties based on the firearm's value: up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for theft valued at $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years for $100,000 or more. Convicted individuals must also return the firearm or pay its value to the owner. The bill directly affects anyone who steals a firearm or knowingly possesses stolen firearms, raising penalties for these offenses under Section 7-104 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies firearm theft as felony with mandatory prison terms, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 752: Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards

HB 752 modifies Maryland law to clarify how gift card theft and fraud are treated. It defines "closed-loop" (store-specific) and "open-loop" (network-branded) gift cards and sets a new standard for determining their value in theft cases: the highest of the face value, the defendant’s claimed value, or the actual loss incurred. The bill also prohibits altering or tampering with gift cards or packaging with intent to defraud, creating a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $500 fine. This directly affects individuals committing gift card theft or forgery and law enforcement prosecuting such offenses. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization without reform elements; increases prosecution scope for minor offenses85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

HB 1386: Criminal Law - Distribution of Heroin or Fentanyl Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader's Law)

HB 1386, "Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader’s Law," makes it a felony for repeat drug distributors to provide heroin, fentanyl, or similar drugs when that distribution causes death or serious injury to another person. It applies only to individuals with prior convictions for distributing controlled substances under Maryland law. The law holds every person who transferred the drugs before the harm occurred liable, mandates a maximum 20-year prison sentence (served consecutively to other sentences), and clarifies that the law covers cases where drugs were mixed with other substances or distributed directly to the victim. This bill directly affects repeat drug distributors whose actions result in fatal or severe injuries, not general users or first-time offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 20-year consecutive sentences for repeat drug distributors causing death/injury, increasing mandatory penalties under criminal justice without rehabilitation focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1467: Criminal Law - Fourth Degree Sexual Offense - Out-of-State Convictions

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands prior conviction use for enhanced sentencing of repeat offenders, increasing penalties under fourth-degree sexual offense provisions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 349: Vehicle Laws - Eluding Police - Penalties

SB 349 increases penalties for drivers who elude police officers and cause a death, reclassifying this as a felony. First-time offenders face up to 5 years in prison or a $5,000 fine, while repeat offenders face up to 10 years. The bill maintains existing misdemeanor penalties for eluding that causes bodily injury or no injury. It applies to drivers who fail to stop after a police officer signals to stop, whether the officer is in uniform or in a marked police vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for eluding police causing death, reclassifying as felony with harsher sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases felony penalties for eluding police causing death, enhancing road safety standards by strengthening enforcement against dangerous driving practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 82: Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

SB 82 amends Maryland law to specifically prohibit creating, aiding, or possessing counterfeit leases or rental agreements with fraudulent intent. It directly affects individuals who attempt to defraud landlords or tenants through fake housing documents. The bill adds "lease" and "rental agreement" to the list of forgery targets (alongside checks, deeds, and other documents), making it a felony to create such counterfeits (up to 10 years in prison or $1,000 fine) and a misdemeanor to knowingly possess them (up to 3 years or $1,000 fine). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding lease forgery to felony offenses, increasing penalties for housing fraud without reform context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy