Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 752: Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

SB 752 establishes a 15-member Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland's criminal justice system. The Commission, appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and criminal justice stakeholders, will examine how African Americans, Hispanics, and other non-White individuals experience differences in policing, arrests, sentencing, and other system stages. It must study issues like mandatory minimums, risk assessment tools, felony murder doctrine, and data collection methods, then hold public hearings and submit recommendations. The bill does not change laws but creates a body to analyze systemic inequities and propose reforms. This affects all Marylanders interacting with the criminal justice system by directing a formal review of racial bias patterns.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study racial disparities in criminal justice, directly promoting reform through data collection on policing, sentencing, and systemic inequities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 823: Correctional Services - Maryland Parole Commission - Members

SB 823 changes how Maryland Parole Commission members are appointed. It replaces the current process where the Governor appoints members with Senate approval, requiring instead a new panel to submit at least three nominees per vacancy. The panel includes specific officials (like the Public Safety Secretary and Public Defender) plus representatives from mental health, education, social work, community organizations, prisoners' rights, victims' rights, and the general public. This bill directly affects the Commission's membership structure and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reformulates parole appointments with prisoner/victim rights stakeholders, advancing equitable corrections oversight per reform indicators85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 988: Judicial Facilities - Stops, Detentions, and Arrests - Limitations

SB 988 prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals for civil offenses (such as traffic tickets or unpaid fines) within judicial facilities (like courthouses) or within one mile of them while traveling to attend a court proceeding. Police must notify the judge beforehand and avoid disrupting court activities to stop someone for a civil matter in these areas. Evidence obtained from violating this law is inadmissible in court, and affected individuals can sue for damages or seek court orders. The Attorney General may also file lawsuits to stop ongoing violations of the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police from arresting for civil offenses in court areas, protecting civil rights and promoting accountability in judicial settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 944: Correctional Services - Reentry Readiness Program

SB 944 establishes a Reentry Readiness Program within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration. It requires the Department to collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Administration, Vital Records, and the Department of Labor to help "returning citizens" (those expected to be released within 90 days) secure job training, obtain birth certificates, and apply for photo IDs or driver's licenses. Key timelines include: 90 days before release for job training enrollment, 60 days for ID/license forms, and 30 days for verification of completed assistance. The program mandates concrete support to address immediate barriers to reintegration, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates reentry program with job training, ID/birth certificate assistance to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides job training assistance and ID services for returning citizens through Department of Labor collaboration, directly advancing employment readiness and workforce integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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

HB 1484: Child Sex Offenders - Plea Agreements and Places for Children

HB 1484 prohibits prosecutors from entering plea agreements that dismiss charges for offenses against minors (Section 3-1104). It also bans individuals convicted of offenses against minors requiring sex offender registration from knowingly operating or entering "places for children" like playgrounds, theme parks, or children's museums (Section 11-722.1). This directly affects prosecutors who can no longer dismiss such charges and convicted sex offenders who target minors. Violating the place restriction is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits dismissing minor sex offense charges and restricts registered offenders from children's venues, strengthening accountability and child protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 1406: Criminal Law - Self-Defense - Prior Acts by Victim

HB 1406 amends Maryland's self-defense law to allow defendants charged with murder, manslaughter, or specific crimes under Title 3 to claim self-defense without proving the danger was imminent. It directly affects individuals facing these charges who can now assert self-defense if the victim previously committed an assault (any degree) or sexually assaultive behavior against them. The key change removes the requirement that defendants prove they believed danger was immediate, based solely on the victim's prior acts. This applies only to cases where the victim's prior conduct matches the specified offenses in the bill. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands defendant rights by removing imminence requirement for self-defense claims in prior assault cases, aligning with criminal justice reform to prevent wrongful convictions and protect victims of abuse.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 678: Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Affidavit for Judicial Authorization

SB 678 modifies the affidavit requirements law enforcement must submit to obtain court authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It requires a sworn affidavit stating: the perpetrator's identity is unknown; the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or a serious public safety threat; standard DNA testing from the forensic sample (collected at a crime scene, from a person/item related to the crime, or unidentified remains) already failed to identify a suspect; and reasonable investigative leads were pursued (unless an ongoing threat exists). The bill defines FGGS as analyzing crime scene DNA to create a profile, searching public genealogy databases, and using public records to identify suspects. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts in Maryland, streamlining the authorization process for FGGS in specific serious unsolved cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches, adding oversight to protect civil rights during investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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

HB 1605: Compensation for Individuals Erroneously Convicted - County Cost-Sharing - Repeal

HB 1605 repeals a provision requiring counties to pay 50% of compensation costs for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Currently, counties covered half the state's compensation payments under Maryland law; this bill shifts the full financial responsibility to the state. The change directly affects wrongly convicted individuals (who continue to receive full compensation) and county governments (which no longer bear 50% of the costs). The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the compensation calculation or benefits provided to affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts full compensation responsibility to state for wrongful convictions, ensuring victims receive full redress without county cost barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 1053: Criminal Law - Second Degree Assault - Sports Official

HB 1053 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally cause physical injury to a sports official (such as an umpire, referee, or judge) during a sporting event when the attacker knows the person's role. The bill amends Maryland’s assault law to specifically include these officials under second-degree assault protections, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. It also expands warrantless arrest authority for police to immediately detain individuals who commit this specific assault, as it now qualifies under the list of crimes allowing such arrests. This directly affects athletes, coaches, or spectators who assault officials at sports events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens legal protections for sports officials via specific assault penalties, advancing accountability within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Judges Policing

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

HB 759: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation

HB 759 removes a time limit preventing certain individuals from filing motions to reduce their prison sentences. It directly affects adults convicted as adults for crimes committed when they were minors (before October 1, 2021) after serving 20+ years, or adults aged 18-24 convicted of non-violent offenses (excluding sex offenders or specific murders) after 20+ years in prison. The bill repeals a prior restriction, allowing these individuals to submit new motions to reduce their sentences, requiring court hearings where they may present evidence and victims may submit impact statements. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals time limit for sentence reduction motions for eligible offenders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing lengthy sentences for non-violent cases after long incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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