Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 699: Maryland Use of Force Statute - Failure to Prevent Excessive Force or Render First Aid - Misdemeanor

HB 699 amends Maryland's use of force statute to require police officers to intervene when another officer uses excessive force and to provide basic first aid to individuals injured during police actions. It creates two new misdemeanor offenses: intentionally failing to intervene (penalty: up to 10 years imprisonment) or failing to render first aid and request medical assistance (penalty: up to 5 years imprisonment). The bill directly affects all police officers and supervisors, mandating they sign a "sanctity of life pledge," undergo de-escalation training, document force incidents, and supervisors must review video evidence of use-of-force cases. These provisions aim to enforce accountability during police encounters by codifying specific duties to prevent harm and provide aid.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police intervention in excessive force cases and first aid, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 171: Mail Theft

SB 171 proposes to update Maryland's mail theft laws by adding new prohibitions against stealing mail or packages under specific circumstances and banning possession of "arrow keys" in certain contexts. The bill creates two new sections (3-905 and 3-905.1) in the Criminal Law Article, explicitly making mail theft a criminal offense and clarifying jurisdiction for prosecuting such cases. It also revises court jurisdiction rules to ensure District Courts can handle mail theft violations, adding them to the list of cases under the court's authority. This legislation directly affects individuals who steal mail or packages, as well as law enforcement and courts handling these offenses. The bill is currently in the pre-filed stage, with no votes recorded yet.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses for mail theft and clarifies prosecution jurisdiction, strengthening enforcement within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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

HB 389: Juveniles - Detention and Confinement - Limitations on Juvenile Contact With Incarcerated Adults

HB 389 prohibits holding juveniles (under 18) who are arrested, convicted, or awaiting trial for criminal charges in any facility where they might have contact with, see, or hear adults in jail or prison. It bans holding juveniles in adult correctional facilities except for up to six hours during processing if they are kept separated by sight and sound from adults and then transferred to a juvenile facility. The bill requires courts to place juveniles in secure juvenile facilities unless no space is available, the juvenile is released pretrial, or the court determines juvenile facility detention would pose a risk of harm. This law directly affects young people in Maryland's justice system who face criminal charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits juvenile contact with adult inmates in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect youth and reduce recidivism through proper juvenile detention practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 407: Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority

SB 407 strengthens protections for minors by prohibiting individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff) from engaging in sexual contact with minors they supervise who are at least 6 years younger. It specifically amends Maryland's criminal code to increase penalties for violations, including up to 3 years in prison for repeat offenders, and adds this offense as a basis for sex offender registry classification. The bill also refines definitions of "person in a position of authority" to include school staff and program leaders, and clarifies that these offenses cannot be treated as lesser included crimes. This directly affects school employees, youth program leaders, and minors under 18 in their care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens minor protections via harsher penalties and registry inclusion for authority figure offenses95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety by prohibiting school staff from sexual contact with minors, directly advancing educational safety standards through criminal protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 544: Vehicle Laws - Cannabis Use in Motor Vehicle With Minor Occupant - Prohibition

HB 544 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle when a minor (under 18) is present. This applies to all occupants, including drivers and passengers, and creates a new misdemeanor offense for violations. Penalties include up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill, introduced in January 2026, will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for cannabis use with minors, expanding criminalization and penalties, opposing reform trends by increasing criminalization.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits cannabis use in vehicles with minors to enhance road safety, aligning with transportation safety regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 138: Criminal Procedure - Sentencing - Domestic Violence as a Mitigating Factor (Providing Alternatives Through Healing for Justice-Involved Individuals (PATH) Act)

SB 138 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 or within five years for sentence modification. It applies to crimes of violence, drug offenses tied to coercion, human trafficking, and other crimes committed under domestic violence circumstances - excluding murder, sexual offenses, and certain abuse crimes. If the court finds domestic violence was a significant factor, it must treat it as a mitigating factor and may reduce sentences below mandatory minimums or sentencing guidelines. The defendant bears the burden of proof (preponderance of evidence), and courts must state their reasoning for decisions related to this factor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows domestic violence victim status as sentencing mitigator, promoting rehabilitation-focused alternatives (PATH Act) to reduce recidivism and address root causes of crime, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Sentencing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 16: Correctional Services - Maryland Parole Commission - Members and Hearing Examiners

HB 16 restructures Maryland's Parole Commission by increasing its membership from 10 to 15-20 members and changing how they are appointed. The bill requires the Governor to appoint members from a panel of 8 specific experts (including the Public Defender, a mental health specialist, and a prisoners' rights advocate), with the panel only needed for initial appointments. It eliminates the Commission's authority to use hearing examiners for parole hearings, replacing that role entirely. These changes directly affect parole commissioners, the parole hearing process, and individuals seeking parole in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds prisoners' rights advocate and mental health specialist to parole commission, requiring diverse expert appointments to enhance oversight and protect defendant rights per reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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

HB 588: Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native Women and Girls - Day of Awareness and Reporting Requirement

HB 588 designates May 5 as an annual "Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native Women and Girls Awareness Day" for the Governor to proclaim. It requires the Department of State Police to submit a report to the Maryland General Assembly by December 1, 2026, on whether law enforcement agencies collect sufficient data about violence against these communities. The report must include policy recommendations to improve data collection methods, coordinate with federal agencies during investigations, and raise public awareness. This bill directly affects state agencies and aims to address gaps in tracking violence against American Indian and Alaskan Native women and girls, who face disproportionately high rates of violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires improved data collection on violence against Native women/girls, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing law enforcement transparency and accountability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags Tribal Nations

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

HB 409: Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction (Youth Charging Reform Act)

HB 409, the Youth Charging Reform Act, expands juvenile court jurisdiction by removing automatic transfers to adult court for certain serious offenses committed by youth aged 16 and older. It directly affects Maryland youth aged 16+ accused of specific crimes like robbery, murder, carjacking, or firearm-related offenses - previously excluded from juvenile court. The bill repeals sections that barred juvenile court from handling these cases, meaning such offenses will now typically be processed in juvenile court unless a judge orders transfer. This change modifies jurisdiction rules in Maryland’s Courts, Criminal Procedure, and Education codes, shifting how these cases are handled without altering sentencing outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile court jurisdiction to avoid automatic adult court transfers for youth, promoting rehabilitation-focused sentencing over punitive measures - core criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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died · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 436: Minors Convicted as Adults - Sentencing - Transfer to Juvenile Court

SB 436 creates a legal pathway for minors convicted as adults in Maryland to be transferred to juvenile court under specific circumstances. It requires courts to transfer a minor to juvenile court if they have clear and convincing evidence the victim of the minor's offense previously committed a sex crime or human trafficking act against the minor within three months before the offense. If transferred, the juvenile court must then determine an appropriate juvenile disposition. This bill directly affects minors convicted as adults who are victims of recent sexual abuse or trafficking by the person they harmed, modifying sentencing rules to prioritize juvenile court oversight in these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill transfers minors convicted as adults to juvenile court for rehabilitation-focused disposition, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing punitive adult sentencing for vulnerable youth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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