Criminal Justice (Courts)

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

HB 397: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Failure to Obey a Court Order to Report to Confinement

HB 397 allows individuals convicted of failing to report to confinement (a misdemeanor) to petition for expungement of their record. It adds this specific offense to Maryland’s list of eligible cases under expungement law. The bill requires a 5-year waiting period after completing all sentence terms before filing such a petition. This applies only to misdemeanor convictions for not showing up to jail as ordered by a court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement for misdemeanor failure to report, reducing recidivism and supporting reentry - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

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

HB 626: Custodial Interrogation of Minors - Admissibility of Statements (Exonerated 5 Act)

This bill creates a rule that a minor's statement during a custodial interrogation is presumed involuntary and inadmissible in court if law enforcement intentionally used false information to obtain it. It directly affects minors facing juvenile or criminal charges, as their statements could be excluded from proceedings under this presumption. The presumption can be overcome only with clear and convincing evidence proving the statement was voluntary despite the false information. The law applies to all custodial interrogations of minors in Maryland, modifying admissibility standards under Maryland's judicial code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves minors' rights by barring coerced statements obtained via deception, aligning with due process and civil rights protections in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 433: Family Law - Temporary and Final Protective Orders - Duration

SB 433 extends the timeframe for temporary protective orders in Maryland from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days of service, rather than 7 days. It also adds new provisions allowing judges to order respondents to pay specific costs incurred due to abuse, including medical/dental care, property repairs, shelter, transportation, court fees, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under these provisions do not prevent petitioners from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (petitioners) and those accused of abuse (respondents) in family law cases. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends protective order timelines and mandates cost recovery for victims (medical, legal, etc.), enhancing victim protection and accountability in domestic violence cases, a key criminal justice reform area.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes medical/dental care costs as recoverable expenses in protective orders, improving access to healthcare services for victims of abuse.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 320: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding

This bill expands Maryland's expungement options by allowing individuals to have certain criminal records sealed if their case ended without a conviction. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 10-110(j)) permitting expungement for cases disposed of with a "no finding" designation or formally terminated without a finding by the court. This directly affects people who completed diversion programs or had cases dismissed without a formal conviction, such as in pretrial diversion or dismissals without judgment. The change modifies existing expungement law to include these non-conviction dispositions, making it easier for affected individuals to clear their records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement for non-conviction cases (e.g., dismissed/diversion), reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 450: Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

HB 450 protects victims of sexual assault or stalking by requiring courts and parties in criminal or juvenile cases to redact identifying information (like names or addresses) from public court records and filings. It directly affects victims, courts, and legal parties by prohibiting disclosure of such information to nonparties unless the court finds "clear and convincing evidence" of good cause to allow it. The bill mandates redaction of victim identifiers in all filings - including charging documents - and requires courts to redact existing records upon written request from the victim. Exceptions only apply when a court specifically authorizes disclosure after reviewing evidence of necessity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims' identities in court records, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform by preventing re-victimization and encouraging reporting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 323: Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction, Detention, and Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act)

SB 323 (Youth Charging Reform Act) removes restrictions that previously prevented Maryland juvenile courts from handling cases involving youth aged 16 and older accused of serious crimes. It repeals provisions that excluded such cases for offenses like murder, robbery, gun crimes, and aggravated violence, expanding juvenile court jurisdiction to include these charges. Now, youth 16+ facing these specific allegations will be processed in juvenile court instead of being automatically sent to adult court. This change affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and youth aged 16+ charged with the listed offenses under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile court jurisdiction for 16+ youth in serious crimes, shifting cases from adult system to rehab-focused juvenile court, advancing reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 412: Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Boards and Community Forensic Aftercare Program

SB 412 establishes Maryland’s Community Forensic Aftercare Program within the Maryland Department of Health. The program monitors two groups: individuals committed to the health department due to being "not criminally responsible" (often called "not guilty by reason of insanity" cases), and people with mental illness or intellectual disability requiring community monitoring under specific legal circumstances. Key mechanisms include creating a community monitoring board to decide on conditional release and out-of-state travel, and requiring licensed social workers ("Program Monitors") to track compliance with court orders and make health recommendations. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health codes to implement this program, focusing on safety and structured oversight for these individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes community monitoring program for mental health cases to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health aftercare program under health department, supporting community monitoring for mental illness cases per bill's focus on forensic mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 265: State Board of Elections - Address Confidentiality Program - Designation of Contact Person

HB 265 requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to designate a contact person for the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking keep their real addresses private. The bill mandates that local election offices use participants' actual addresses for election purposes (like absentee ballots) but must not disclose these addresses publicly except for law enforcement requests or court orders. The designated contact person will handle all inquiries from election offices and participants about implementing the program's rules. This bill updates existing election law to clarify administrative procedures for the program, effective June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims of crime by maintaining address confidentiality, aligning with civil rights and victim safety in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

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

Track

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

Track