Criminal Justice

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

HB 12: Juvenile Sex Offender Registry - Qualifying Offenses and Access

This bill expands Maryland's juvenile sex offender registry to include specific offenses like child pornography violations, sexual acts against minors, and certain sexual offenses that would be crimes if committed by adults. It requires juveniles (at least 14 years old at the time of the offense) found guilty in court for these offenses to be registered in a separate juvenile registry, distinct from the adult registry. The bill also allows school superintendents or their designees to access the registry for safety purposes, in addition to law enforcement. Juveniles on the registry must update their information and provide a digital photo every three months until they turn 18 or lose juvenile court jurisdiction, whichever occurs later. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile sex offender registry to include more offenses, increasing mandatory registration and criminalization without rehabilitation focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 437: Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards

SB 437 clarifies how gift card value is determined in theft and fraud cases and prohibits tampering with gift cards to defraud others. It defines "closed-loop" (single merchant) and "open-loop" (multi-merchant network) gift cards, setting their value as the highest of: face value, what the defendant claimed, or actual loss incurred. The bill creates a new misdemeanor offense for altering gift cards or packaging with fraudulent intent, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $500 fine. This directly affects individuals committing gift card fraud and businesses handling gift card transactions in Maryland.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization of non-violent offenses without reform intent90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 302: Criminal Law - Causing Ingestion of an Abortion-Inducing Drug - Prohibition (Women's Freedom From Coercion Act)

SB 302 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest an abortion-inducing drug when the person knows or believes the other is pregnant and does so without consent, through fraud/coercion, or force/threat of force. The bill directly affects individuals who would cause others to take such drugs under these specific conditions. Key provisions define "abortion-inducing drug" and establish that violations constitute a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to conduct occurring after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for causing ingestion of abortion-inducing drug without consent, expanding criminalization and imposing up to 25 years prison. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increasing criminalization and penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 697: Correctional Services - Diminution of a Term of Confinement

HB 697 prohibits incarcerated individuals convicted of first-degree murder (under §2-201 of the Criminal Law Article) from earning time-off credits that reduce their prison sentences. It also denies these credits for certain child-related offenses, including specific violations under §3-303, §3-304, §3-305, §3-306, and §3-307 of the Criminal Law Article involving victims under 16 years old. The law applies to all Maryland state and local correctional facilities and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects people serving sentences for these offenses by eliminating a mechanism that could shorten their confinement terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies sentence reduction credits for first-degree murder and child offenses, increasing mandatory sentence lengths for violent crimes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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

HB 138: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Sexual Offense - Burglary

HB 138 clarifies that committing sexual contact without consent during a burglary (first, second, or third degree) constitutes a third-degree sexual offense. It updates sex offender registration definitions to include this specific offense under "Tier I" and "Tier II" categories, affecting individuals convicted of such acts. The bill modifies Maryland’s criminal code to explicitly link burglary with non-consensual sexual contact, raising the offense to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. These changes directly impact offenders convicted of sexual contact during burglaries and alter how their registration levels are determined under state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates burglary with non-consensual sex to felony with mandatory registration, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization under criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 631: Criminal Law - Threats Against State or Local Official - Penalties

HB 631 increases penalties for threatening state or local officials, deputies, or public defenders in Maryland. It reclassifies violations from misdemeanors to felonies, raising maximum penalties to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine (up from 3 years/$2,500). The bill specifically targets threats involving taking life, kidnapping, or causing physical injury to the listed officials. It affects anyone making such threats against designated public officials and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties by reclassifying threats to felonies, expanding criminalization and imposing harsher sentences (10 years/$5k), directly opposing reform-focused criminal justice priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 287: Criminal Procedure - Lifetime Sexual Offender Supervision - Conditions, Violations, and Petitions for Discharge

HB 287 modifies Maryland's lifetime sexual offender supervision requirements. It mandates lifelong supervision for individuals convicted of specific serious sexual offenses (like crimes against minors under certain age thresholds or repeat offenses), requiring conditions such as GPS tracking, restrictions near schools, mandatory treatment programs, and prohibitions on contact with minors. Violating these conditions can result in misdemeanor or felony penalties (up to 10 years in jail), with supervision continuing even after punishment. Individuals may petition for discharge after serving at least five years, subject to court review.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates lifelong supervision, GPS tracking, and felony penalties for violations, expanding restrictions and increasing penalties beyond standard sentencing, opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 406: Criminal Law - Drug Trafficking Crime - Definition

SB 406 redefines "drug trafficking crime" in Maryland law to include misdemeanor violations of cannabis possession (specifically § 5-602(b)(1) and § 5-603(b)), not just felonies. This means individuals charged with misdemeanor cannabis offenses - like possessing quantities suggesting intent to distribute - will now be subject to firearm restrictions during those offenses. The bill adds that possessing a firearm during such a misdemeanor cannabis violation constitutes a separate felony, carrying a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for a first offense. It directly affects people facing misdemeanor cannabis charges by expanding the scope of offenses triggering enhanced firearm penalties. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by including cannabis misdemeanors in drug trafficking, adding firearm restrictions and felony charges, increasing penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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

HB 719: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement - Prohibition Against Sanctuary Policies

HB 719 prohibits Maryland state and local government entities, including county sheriffs and agencies, from adopting "sanctuary policies" that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It repeals existing laws that previously limited police from asking about immigration status during routine stops or detaining individuals solely for immigration violations. The bill requires local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration detainers when legally required and removes barriers to federal agents accessing sensitive locations (like schools) with valid warrants. This directly affects police departments, sheriffs' offices, and local government agencies in their daily interactions with federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits sanctuary policies and mandates law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration detainers, removing protections against immigration-based profiling and detentions, opposing criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits sanctuary policies and mandates state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, increasing enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Public Safety

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