Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 906: Criminal Law - Distribution of Heroin or Fentanyl Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader's Law)

This bill creates a new criminal offense in Maryland for distributing heroin, fentanyl, or their chemical analogues when such distribution results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. It applies to anyone convicted of distributing these substances that cause harm, regardless of whether the victim used the drugs alone or mixed with other substances, and whether the distribution was direct or involved multiple transfers. The law establishes this as a separate felony carrying up to 20 years of consecutive prison time in addition to any other penalties, and allows prosecutions in either the county where the distribution occurred or where the death or injury happened.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony offense for drug distribution causing harm, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 765: Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

HB 765 amends Maryland's criminal code to explicitly prohibit counterfeiting or possessing counterfeit leases and rental agreements with intent to defraud. It adds "lease" (subsection a(7)) and "rental agreement" (a(13)) to the list of items protected under counterfeiting laws, which previously covered items like bonds and checks. Creating or aiding in creating such counterfeits becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, while knowingly possessing them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who fraudulently create or use fake rental documents, such as those attempting to evade rent or commit property fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by making lease counterfeiting a felony, increasing penalties for fraud under criminal law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

Track

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

HB 762: Law Enforcement – Use of Facial Recognition Technology – Images Captured by Camera Affixed to Dwelling Exterior

HB 762 permits Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology on images captured by cameras mounted on the exterior of a dwelling (like a home) to investigate nine specific property crimes, including first- and second-degree burglary, arson, and trespassing. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and homeowners or tenants who have such exterior cameras. The bill modifies existing law to allow this exception only when the image was recorded by the dwelling’s owner or tenant, and restricts its use to the listed property crimes - excluding most other criminal investigations. The law does not change how facial recognition may be used for other types of evidence or in non-dwelling settings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePermits expanded police surveillance via facial recognition on home cameras for property crimes, increasing investigative powers without privacy safeguards or oversight.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill permits law enforcement use of facial recognition on home camera images for property crimes without privacy safeguards, enabling a privacy-invasive technology and weakening data privacy protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Emerging Technology

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 512: Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties

SB 512 amends Maryland's stalking law to increase penalties for specific stalking offenses. It elevates stalking to a felony (with up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine) if the offender had a protective order against them, violated a court order prohibiting the behavior, or has a prior stalking conviction in Maryland or another state. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who meet these aggravating conditions. Key provisions clarify that stalking includes unwanted electronic tracking without consent and define the circumstances under which penalties escalate. The law maintains existing definitions of stalking but strengthens consequences for repeat offenders and those violating court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony penalties for stalking with protective order violations, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentences per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 736: Criminal Law - Obscene Matter - Visual Representation of Child

SB 736 updates Maryland's criminal law regarding visual representations of children. It raises the age limit from 16 to 18 for material depicting children in sexual contexts or abuse, making possession or viewing such material illegal for children under 18. Penalties increase significantly, with first offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison or $25,000 in fines, and repeat offenses becoming felonies with up to 20 years in prison or $50,000 fines. The bill also allows individuals depicted in such material to file civil lawsuits for damages (including up to $250,000 in punitive damages) without needing a prior criminal conviction, and requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on enforcement and technology changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for child exploitation material possession and expands criminalization by raising age limit from 16 to 18, increasing mandatory sentences and broadening criminal scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

Track

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

HB 782: Criminal Law - Taking and Breaking Open Letters - Penalty

HB 782 amends Maryland's criminal law to increase the penalty for illegally opening another person's mail. The bill raises the fine for violating this prohibition from $15 to $500 while keeping the maximum jail term at six days. It directly affects individuals who take or break open letters addressed to others without permission, including mail carriers or others accessing private correspondence. The key change is the substantial fine increase, making the penalty more severe for this specific violation. The amendment becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases fines for mail tampering, expanding criminalization of minor offenses and raising penalties without reform context, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 746: Police Discipline - Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies - Suspension Pending Appeal of Trial Board Decision

SB 746 allows municipal police chiefs in Maryland to suspend officers without pay while they appeal disciplinary decisions made by a trial board. It directly affects municipal police officers facing disciplinary actions who choose to appeal their case. The bill requires that if an officer wins their appeal, they must receive full back pay for the suspension period. This change modifies existing law to address the financial impact on officers during the appeal process.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows suspension without pay during disciplinary appeals, potentially discouraging officers from challenging decisions and weakening accountability oversight in police discipline.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

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

HB 1146: Crime of Violence - Medical Facilities and Places of Worship - Penalty (Sacred Places Safety Act)

HB 1146, the "Sacred Places Safety Act," prohibits committing any crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) within medical facilities or places of worship. It directly affects individuals who commit such acts in these locations, which include hospitals, clinics, and nonresidential religious gathering spaces. The bill increases penalties by making such violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in addition to penalties for the underlying violent crime. This law takes effect June 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant locations statewide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for violent crimes in medical facilities/worship spaces, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill's explicit penalty enhancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

Track