Criminal Justice

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 536: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

SB 536 repeals the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies in Maryland to notify law enforcement about certain violations of home detention conditions. Currently, agencies must notify law enforcement within 24 hours for most violations, 1 hour for equipment tampering, or immediately for entering prohibited areas. The bill removes this law enforcement notification obligation while keeping the requirement to notify the court. This change directly affects private monitoring agencies and the designated law enforcement agencies in Baltimore City or the relevant county, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves law enforcement notification requirement for home detention violations, weakening oversight of monitoring compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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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

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1294: Criminal Law - Child Sexual Abuse Material - Artificial Intelligence Software

HB 1294 updates Maryland law to define "child sexual abuse material" (replacing "child pornography") and explicitly includes images created using artificial intelligence software in this definition. The bill modifies legal provisions to prohibit possessing or viewing AI-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real children engaged in sexual conduct or abuse, while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings. It increases penalties for repeat offenses (up to 10 years in prison) and adds a defense for individuals who promptly destroy such material or report it to authorities. This change directly affects anyone creating, sharing, or accessing AI-generated images that mimic real minors in sexual contexts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates CSAM definition to include AI images, strengthening legal protections against child exploitation material and increasing penalties for violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Tags Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

HB 821: Judiciary Department - Judicial Removal - Disqualification From Future Judicial Office

This constitutional amendment prohibits judges or justices removed or retired for misconduct from holding any future judicial position. It directly affects judges disciplined by the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, adding a new provision that explicitly bars such individuals from future judicial office. The key mechanism requires the Supreme Court to remove or retire judges found guilty of misconduct, with the amendment ensuring these individuals lose eligibility for any subsequent judicial role. This change modifies Article IV of the Maryland Constitution and requires voter approval in the November 2026 election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens judicial accountability by barring misconduct-removed judges from future judicial office, directly addressing court integrity within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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

HB 767: Criminal Law - Theft and Opening of Mail and Packages

HB 767 updates Maryland's criminal law to specifically address theft and unauthorized opening of mail and packages. It prohibits taking or opening mail/package not addressed to you without permission (Section 3-905) and makes stealing mail/package delivered by USPS or a delivery company a felony (Section 7-106.1), punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The bill requires courts to notify the U.S. Postmaster General of convictions involving USPS-delivered mail or packages. It directly affects individuals who steal or tamper with mail or packages intended for others, particularly those handled by USPS or commercial delivery services.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for mail theft to felony (5 years), expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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