Criminal Justice

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 1489: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Eligibility (Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act)

HB 1489, the "Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act," allows certain incarcerated individuals to seek sentence reductions by modifying eligibility rules for motions to reduce sentence duration. It applies to two groups: (1) people convicted as adults for crimes committed as minors (with at least 20 years served and no life without parole), and (2) those convicted between ages 18-25 (with at least 20 years served, not a sex offender, and not convicted of specific violent offenses like murder of first responders or certain vehicular homicides). Courts must hold hearings considering factors like the person’s age at the offense, rehabilitation efforts, victim impact statements, and whether the individual poses a public safety risk. If the court finds the person is not a danger and justice requires it, it may reduce the sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables sentence reductions for juvenile offenders and young adults, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

Track

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 591: National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals With Disabilities - Maryland Chapter - Establishment

SB 591 establishes the Maryland Chapter of the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities within the Department of State Police. It creates a secure, voluntary online system allowing individuals with disabilities to share personal information (like contact details, physical descriptions, and disability-related needs) with law enforcement for emergency response. The bill requires the Department of State Police and Department of Disabilities to develop mandatory training and guidelines for law enforcement agencies, and it creates a commission to study protocols and public engagement strategies. This directly affects individuals with disabilities who choose to participate and all local law enforcement agencies required to implement the new protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates disability-specific emergency response system for law enforcement, requiring mandatory training to improve interactions and safety during crises, aligning with police accountability and civil rights protections.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a secure online system for disability-related emergency data sharing, prioritizing data privacy and security measures per its 'secure, voluntary' system description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 660: Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Response to Immigration Enforcement Actions

SB 660 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to respond to reports of federal immigration enforcement actions within their jurisdiction. Officers must observe the activity, record it with body cameras when possible, and file detailed reports including location, agencies involved, force used, medical needs, and any violations. These reports and recordings must be made public under Maryland's Public Information Act and stored for 4 months (footage) or 4 years (reports). The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies, mandating transparency during federal immigration operations while preserving constitutional officer duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency and accountability in law enforcement responses to federal immigration actions, requiring documented reporting and public access per criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates public documentation of federal immigration enforcement actions, increasing transparency and accountability, aligning with immigrant protection measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

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

HB 1309: Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

HB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study racial disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, directly addressing inequities per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1348: Human Trafficking - Reports to Regional Navigators and Prosecutions - Authorization

HB 1348 modifies Maryland's reporting requirements for suspected child trafficking. It expands mandatory reporting to include labor and sex trafficking by requiring health practitioners, educators, and others to notify specialized support coordinators (replacing "regional navigators") when they suspect such abuse, even without a child's consent or over their objection. The bill also authorizes State’s Attorneys and the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute trafficking violations under new provisions in the Criminal Law. These changes specifically apply to child trafficking cases and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory reporting for human trafficking to improve victim identification and prosecution, strengthening law enforcement response and victim protection within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 1564: Public Health - Drugs and Medical Devices Used in Death Sentences - Prohibition

HB 1564 prohibits businesses in Maryland from knowingly manufacturing, selling, distributing, dispensing, or supplying drugs or medical devices if they know or should know the order was prompted by someone intending to use them for a death sentence. The law directly affects pharmacies, manufacturers, and distributors operating in Maryland by banning transactions where the purpose is execution. Key provisions require businesses to verify the intended use of drugs/devices and prohibit supply when execution is the purpose. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, with no exceptions for state execution protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits supply of drugs/devices for death sentences, restricting capital punishment implementation as criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 732: Cannabis - Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Distribution and Use of Funds for Baltimore City

SB 732 requires Maryland's Comptroller to direct funds from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (funded by cannabis tax revenue and business fees) specifically to Baltimore City's Comptroller. The Baltimore City Comptroller must then establish a special fund to distribute these resources to community programs in areas disproportionately impacted by historical cannabis enforcement. Funds can support services like behavioral health care, job training, housing assistance, and after-school programs - but cannot fund law enforcement or replace existing city programs. The bill mandates these funds remain separate from general city revenue and are subject to audit, ensuring they directly benefit Baltimore communities most affected by past cannabis policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund community programs in Baltimore City, supporting public services through fiscal management of tax proceeds.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds community programs in areas impacted by historical cannabis enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and addressing systemic inequities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates cannabis tax funds for housing assistance as a direct use within community programs for areas impacted by cannabis enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2026

HB 1541: Workgroup to Study Extreme Risk Protective Orders (Sagar Ghimire Act)

HB 1541 establishes a 6-member workgroup to study Maryland's use of extreme risk protective orders (ERPOs), which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The workgroup includes the Secretary of Health (as chair), Attorney General, Public Defender, police and sheriffs' association leaders, and a mental health services representative. It will study current ERPO practices and develop policy recommendations by May 1, 2027, reporting to the Governor and legislature. The workgroup will expire automatically on June 30, 2028, with no further legislative action required. This bill does not change ERPO laws but creates a process to evaluate and improve them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates workgroup to study and improve ERPOs, a criminal justice reform tool preventing gun violence through court-ordered firearm removals, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 745: Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)

SB 745 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific modules on interacting with individuals with autism and dementia. It mandates that entrance-level and in-service training cover six key areas: locating missing persons (including wanderers), water safety searches, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The bill directly affects all Maryland police departments and training schools by adding these requirements to their curricula. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code (Section 3-207(a)(16)(v)).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on autism/dementia interactions to improve crisis response, reduce harm, and enhance accountability - aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like civil rights protection and law enforcement best practices.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 710: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Reemployment After Retirement - Exemption from Earnings Offset

SB 710 exempts retirees from Maryland's Correctional Officers' Retirement System from having their retirement benefits reduced if they return to work as correctional officers or parole/probation staff in specific state correctional facilities. The bill amends pension law to remove the earnings offset requirement for these retirees when reemployed by the Division of Corrections, Division of Pretrial Detention, or Patuxent Institution for up to four years. This directly affects correctional officers who retired from the system and are rehired in authorized roles within state correctional facilities. The change ensures their retirement payments remain unchanged during this reemployment period, unlike the standard rule that reduces benefits for most other retirees returning to work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts correctional retirees from earnings offset, facilitating workforce retention in corrections, directly supporting system stability and operational continuity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts correctional officer retirees from earnings offset, preserving retirement benefits upon reemployment in specific state facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development