Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 743: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

HB 743 removes the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement when defendants violate standard home detention conditions (like missing check-ins or curfew). The bill directly affects these monitoring agencies and local law enforcement agencies, as it repeals the existing law mandating such notifications for most violations. Key provisions now only require agencies to notify courts and law enforcement within 1 hour for equipment tampering or immediately for entering prohibited areas. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating routine notifications while maintaining urgent response protocols for specific safety risks. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals requirement for monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement of most home detention violations, weakening oversight and accountability in criminal justice monitoring.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 640: Criminal Procedure - Postconviction Release - Crimes Resulting in Death of Young Victim

SB 640 prohibits courts from releasing defendants after conviction but before sentencing or appellate review if they were convicted of specific crimes resulting in the death of a victim under 14 years old. It applies to cases involving: (1) a "crime of violence" under Maryland law, or (2) a violation of child neglect laws (§ 3-602.1) that caused the victim’s death. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses who would otherwise be eligible for pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and modifies Maryland’s postconviction release procedures under Article 5, Section 5-301.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts pre-sentencing release for defendants convicted of crimes causing death of young victim, reducing defendant rights and increasing custody time.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

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

HB 792: Criminal Law - Theft - Mail and Packages (Porch Piracy Act of 2026)

HB 792 (Porch Piracy Act of 2026) makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or private carriers a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects individuals who steal mail/packages and the recipients (victims) of such theft. Key provisions require courts to order thieves to either return the stolen item or pay restitution for its value to the victim. Additionally, interest accrued on overdue restitution payments must be split equally - 50% to the victim and 50% to the court. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies porch piracy as felony with 5-year max, mandates restitution - increases penalties without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 620: Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Prior Convictions

SB 620 modifies Maryland's sentencing for handgun violations by expanding the list of prior convictions that trigger enhanced penalties. It adds certain convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts to the list that count toward stricter sentencing under Section 4-203(c) of the Criminal Law. Specifically, if a person has prior convictions (including out-of-state or federal offenses that would violate Maryland's handgun laws), they face longer mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent violations. This directly affects individuals with prior criminal records who are convicted of carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun in Maryland.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands prior conviction list for enhanced handgun sentencing, increasing mandatory minimums under Section 4-203(c).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

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 Mar 11, 2026

HB 1417: Public Safety - Handgun Permit Requirement - Repeal (Maryland Constitutional Carry Act)

HB 1417, the Maryland Constitutional Carry Act, repeals Maryland’s requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public. It removes the need for a permit (previously required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article) and eliminates age restrictions for carrying (previously prohibiting those under 21 from carrying handguns). The bill allows most adults to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, though it maintains existing restrictions on carrying on school property, with intent to harm, or with a loaded firearm. Key provisions are updated in the Criminal Law Article (Sections 4-101(b) and 4-203), adding a new allowance for carrying "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" while preserving other prohibitions. This directly affects all Maryland residents who are not prohibited from owning firearms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals permit requirement for handguns, weakening regulatory oversight in public safety - a core criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

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