Criminal Justice

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

HB 360: Criminal Procedure - Automated Expungement (Clean Slate Act of 2026)

HB 360 (Clean Slate Act of 2026) automates the removal of certain criminal records from public view. It requires Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and the Judiciary to expunge eligible cases by July 1, 2028, and then monthly thereafter, for people with qualifying outcomes (like dismissed charges or certain misdemeanors) that meet waiting periods (3 years for most cases, 7 years for others). The law excludes cases involving domestic violence, second-degree assault, or new convictions during the waiting period. It directly affects individuals with eligible records who no longer need to petition courts for expungement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expungement of eligible records (dismissed charges, minor misdemeanors), reducing barriers to employment/housing - core criminal justice reform to lower recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 315: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Adverse Actions and Removal From Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) System

SB 315 clarifies that individuals with expunged criminal charges cannot be denied employment, education, or government services solely because they refuse to disclose those expunged charges. The bill specifically prohibits the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system from referencing certain cannabis possession cases (where it was the only charge and disposed before July 1, 2023) and requires the Department of Public Safety to remove all references to these cases from MDEC by July 1, 2024. It also prohibits employers, educational institutions, and state agencies from using expunged cannabis charges as the sole basis for adverse actions. The law applies directly to people with expunged cannabis cases meeting the specified criteria. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies expungement rights to prevent employment/education denial and removes cannabis cases from court records, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with expunged records.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employment discrimination based on expunged criminal records, protecting workers' rights to fair hiring practices by prohibiting denial of jobs over sealed cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 268: Correctional Services – Restrictive Housing – Individuals With Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities

SB 268 requires clinical professionals (licensed mental health providers) to assess new inmates at Maryland state correctional facilities for developmental or intellectual disabilities during intake. If assessed, facilities must limit restrictive housing (locked in a cell for 22+ hours daily) to 15 consecutive days within any 30-day period for these individuals, unless they commit a prohibited act like causing serious injury, making credible threats with prior violence, or possessing weapons. The bill excludes medical isolation, suicide watch, and self-requested protective custody from the restrictive housing definition. It applies only to Maryland state correctional facilities and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts solitary confinement for disabled inmates, aligning with civil rights protections and reform goals in corrections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments for inmates with disabilities and limits restrictive housing, protecting vulnerable individuals' mental health care access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

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

HB 507: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

HB 507 extends the funding period for a grant program supporting nonprofit organizations that provide automotive repair training and reentry services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. The bill allows the Governor to appropriate $1 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 (previously ending in 2028) for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 people yearly, provide nationally recognized automotive repair certificates, and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. These organizations must report on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention. The extension ensures continued access to job training and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends annual $1M appropriation for nonprofit reentry programs, advancing state funding for public services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends $1M annual funding for nonprofits providing automotive repair training/reentry services to incarcerated individuals, aiming to reduce recidivism via job placement and certification programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends $1M annual funding for job training/reentry programs requiring 50% job placement, directly advancing employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 310: Criminal Records - Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Traffic Violation by a Minor

SB 310 prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from referencing records of traffic violations committed by minors (under 18) under the Maryland Vehicle Law or other traffic laws. It directly affects minors who receive traffic citations, ensuring these records are not displayed in public online searches. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Procedure law to require the case search system to omit all references to such minor traffic violations. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the existence of the underlying records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves minor traffic violations from public searches to prevent long-term barriers for youth, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting minors' opportunities.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes minors' traffic violation data from public online case searches, directly enhancing data privacy protections within digital systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

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

HB 132: Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence

This bill changes Maryland's rules for using wiretapped or electronically intercepted communications as evidence in criminal trials. It allows such evidence in court if the crime involved a victim, the evidence is material to the case, the interception wasn't conducted by Maryland law enforcement, it's more probative than other available evidence, and admitting it serves justice. Prosecutors must also provide the defense with at least 14 days' notice before using this evidence. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets higher standards for admissibility of intercepted evidence, requiring defense notice and ensuring it serves justice, protecting defendant rights in criminal trials.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill expands admissibility of wiretapped communications in court, making it easier to use privacy-intrusive evidence without strict privacy safeguards, weakening data privacy protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 360: Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against

SB 360 modifies Maryland's criminal law to specifically protect emergency response animals used by law enforcement. It prohibits intentionally harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing these animals - such as police dogs, law enforcement horses, or search/rescue dogs - while they are performing official duties. Violations are classified as misdemeanors with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, depending on the severity. The law directly affects individuals who target these animals during operations and law enforcement agencies that rely on them. It does not change general animal cruelty laws but adds targeted protections for animals serving in emergency response roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects law enforcement animals during official duties, strengthening operational effectiveness within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 362: Criminal Law - Child's Access to Firearms - Penalty (Ny'Kala Strawder Act)

SB 362 (the Ny'Kala Strawder Act) amends Maryland law to increase penalties for storing or leaving a loaded firearm where a person knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. It prohibits negligent firearm storage in locations accessible to minors, making violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, or both. Exceptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement possession during duties, or a minor with a valid hunter safety certificate. The law also explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases or referenced during civil trials involving firearm-related injuries or deaths. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for negligent firearm storage, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 81: Criminal Law - School Resource Officers - Prohibition on Sexual Activity with Students

SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits SRO misconduct, enhancing police accountability and protecting students - directly strengthens oversight of law enforcement conduct within schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits SROs from sexual misconduct with students, enhancing school safety and student protection within K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement School Safety