Criminal Justice

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

HB 1361: Criminal Law - Controlled Dangerous Substances and Criminal Organizations

HB 1361 modifies Maryland’s criminal law regarding controlled substances and criminal organizations. It specifies that conspiring to violate controlled substance laws (including cannabis distribution) carries the same penalty as the underlying crime, and expands venue rules for prosecutions. Specifically, cases involving controlled substances or criminal organizations can now be tried in any county where acts occurred, operations were based, proceeds were held, or the defendant resides. This primarily affects prosecutors, defendants, and conspirators in drug-related and organized crime cases by clarifying where trials can be held. The bill does not change substance prohibitions but adjusts penalties and jurisdiction for related offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeTightens penalties for drug conspiracy (including cannabis) and expands prosecution venues, increasing enforcement rigor without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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

HB 527: Correctional Services - Home Detention - Removal

This bill changes Maryland's home detention rules by giving the Commissioner of Correction (or their designee) the authority to immediately remove an incarcerated person from home detention for any reason, not just violations. It specifically requires removal if someone violates a condition of their home detention placement. The bill directly affects individuals currently participating in Maryland's home detention programs. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands commissioner's authority to remove individuals from home detention for any reason, reducing alternatives to incarceration and weakening rehabilitation-focused sentencing options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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

HB 31: Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause

HB 31 allows police officers in Maryland who are denied a right under disciplinary rules to seek court intervention before a formal hearing. Specifically, officers can apply to a circuit court for an order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right should not be granted. The bill specifies that countywide/local agency officers must file in their county’s circuit court, while statewide/bicounty agency officers file in Anne Arundel County circuit court. This process applies to disciplinary proceedings under Maryland’s Public Safety subtitle and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill enables officers to challenge disciplinary actions via court, potentially weakening oversight and accountability mechanisms in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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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

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

HB 670: Criminal Law - Child Pornography - Prohibitions and Penalties

HB 670 updates Maryland’s criminal code to prohibit possessing or viewing certain child pornography, including computer-generated images that appear realistic. It directly affects individuals who possess or access visual materials depicting children under 16 engaged in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement - whether actual or digitally created to look real. The bill adds new penalties: a misdemeanor for first offenses (up to 5 years or $2,500 fine) and a felony for repeat violations (up to 10 years or $10,000 fine). It also clarifies that parents may possess non-exploitative images of their own children, and includes a defense for those who destroy or report such material. The law replaces and amends existing sections 11-207 and 11-208 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding strict penalties for child pornography possession, increasing mandatory sentencing (misdemeanor/felony) without reform elements.95% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 221: Criminal Law - Child Pornography - Prohibitions and Penalties

SB 221 amends Maryland's criminal code to strengthen penalties for possessing or viewing child pornography. It specifically defines "indistinguishable from an actual child" (including realistic computer-generated images) and creates two key thresholds: possessing 100+ images of minors in sexual situations or under-13 images triggers felony charges, increasing potential sentences to 10 years. The law directly affects individuals who possess, view, or distribute such images, including both actual child content and realistic digital depictions. Penalties escalate for repeat offenses or cases involving children under 13, with sentences potentially exceeding 10 years for the most severe violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for child pornography possession, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 66: Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel - Increased Penalties (Jamari's Law)

SB 66, titled "Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel - Increased Penalties (Jamari's Law)," aims to raise criminal penalties for cases where a person causes death through negligent or reckless operation of a vehicle or vessel. It directly affects drivers, operators, or individuals responsible for vehicular or maritime incidents resulting in manslaughter. The bill’s key provision increases the severity of sentencing for these offenses, though specific penalty levels are not detailed in the provided text. This legislation is currently pre-filed for the 2025 session with a scheduled hearing in January 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases sentencing severity for vehicular manslaughter, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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died · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 210: Correctional Services - Home Detention - Monitoring and Security

SB 210 transfers responsibility for monitoring and security of Maryland's home detention programs from Correctional Services to the Warrant Apprehension Unit within the Department of Public Safety. It directly affects individuals participating in home detention programs, requiring their supervision to be conducted by this law enforcement unit using electronic monitoring and direct contact. Key provisions authorize unit employees to execute search warrants, make arrests for program violations, and exercise peace officer powers under specific training and qualification standards. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, restructuring oversight without creating new eligibility criteria or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeTransfers home detention supervision to law enforcement unit with arrest powers, increasing punitive enforcement over rehabilitation and reducing rehabilitative focus in correctional supervision.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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

HB 692: Criminal Law - Mail and Package Theft (Porch Piracy Act)

HB 692, the "Porch Piracy Act," criminalizes the theft of mail and packages in Maryland. It creates new penalties for stealing mail or packages under specific circumstances, including prohibiting possession of certain items (like "arrow keys," likely a drafting error for key fobs) used in theft. The bill directly affects individuals who steal mail or packages, adding these acts to the state’s criminal code under new sections 3-905 and 3-905.1 of the Criminal Law Article. It also clarifies that both District and Circuit Courts can handle these cases, updating jurisdiction rules for such thefts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new criminal penalties for mail/package theft, expanding criminalization without reform elements or reduced sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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