Criminal Justice

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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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 465: Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree

SB 465 modifies Maryland's evidence rules to allow certain out-of-court statements in second-degree assault cases when the defendant caused the witness's unavailability through wrongdoing. It permits statements made under oath, in writing with the declarant's signature, or recorded verbatim to be admitted if the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the defendant engaged in wrongdoing to make the witness unavailable. Before admitting such a statement, the court must hold a separate hearing outside the jury's presence to verify the defendant's wrongdoing. This bill directly affects defendants charged with second-degree assault and prosecutors seeking to use specific witness statements in trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows admission of out-of-court statements when defendant caused witness unavailability, reducing defendant's right to confront witnesses in court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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

HB 309: Judicial Facilities - Stops, Detentions, and Arrests - Limitations

HB 309 prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals for civil offenses (like unpaid fines) while they are inside a courthouse or within one mile of it for court-related purposes. It requires officers to notify a judge or court administrator before such actions and mandates they avoid disrupting court proceedings. Evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible in court, and individuals wrongfully stopped can sue for damages, attorney fees, or court costs. The law applies to all judicial facilities, including courthouses, hearing centers, and surrounding areas within 1,000 feet, but excludes arrests for criminal offenses, warrants, or other legally authorized actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits arrests for civil offenses in courthouses, mandates judicial notification, inadmissible evidence for violations, and enables civil suits - enhancing civil rights and law enforcement accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 294: Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

SB 294 requires courts and parties in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to redact identifying information (like names, addresses, or details that could reveal identity) from court filings and records involving victims of sexual assault or stalking. It directly affects these victims by preventing public disclosure of their personal details in court documents, unless a court finds "good cause" to allow it. The bill mandates that courts automatically redact such information upon request from a victim of sexual assault or stalking, and prohibits disclosure to nonparties without redaction. This applies to all court filings, including charging documents, and covers both current and existing case records. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy in court proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 322: Courts - Jury Service - Disqualification

SB 322 modifies Maryland's jury service disqualification rules for individuals with criminal convictions. It removes the requirement that someone must be "currently serving a sentence" for a crime punishable by over one year to be disqualified, while maintaining disqualifications for specific offenses like perjury, witness/jury intimidation, or crimes under Title 8 of the Criminal Law Article. The bill also keeps the existing provision allowing those pardoned for disqualifying convictions to serve on juries. This change affects individuals previously disqualified solely due to past convictions without active sentences, but not those convicted of the specified serious offenses. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves unnecessary jury disqualification for individuals with completed sentences, advancing reintegration of formerly convicted people into civic participation, a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 449: Juvenile Justice Restoration Act

HB 449, the Juvenile Justice Restoration Act, requires law enforcement officers to consult with an attorney before questioning a child (under 18) in custody. It mandates that officers first notify the child’s parent/guardian and ensure the child speaks with an attorney - either one retained by the parent or provided by the Office of the Public Defender - before any interrogation. Exceptions only apply if an officer believes immediate public safety is threatened (with limited questions) or if a parent consents to skip the attorney consultation. The bill also requires detailed records of notifications and attorney contact, and creates a strong presumption that any statement obtained without compliance is inadmissible in court. The Office of the Public Defender must develop policies to guide attorneys on these new requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires attorney consultation before questioning minors, protecting juvenile rights and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like enhanced due process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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