Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1198: Civil Actions - Coerced Debt - Debtor Protections

HB 1198 creates new protections for debtors who incurred debt through coercion (such as fraud, domestic abuse, human trafficking, or exploitation). It requires debtors to provide creditors with written notice and "adequate documentation" (like police reports or court orders) proving the debt was coerced, after which creditors must immediately stop collection efforts. Creditors must confirm receipt of the notice, inform credit bureaus the debt is disputed, and wait at least 40 days before resuming collection if they choose to do so. The bill applies to all debtors in Maryland who face such coerced debts, excluding debts secured by real property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims of coercion (e.g., trafficking/domestic abuse) from debt collection, aligning with criminal justice reform by safeguarding vulnerable populations and addressing exploitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

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

HB 1363: Criminal Procedure - Domestic Violence Offenders - Registration

HB 1363 requires individuals convicted of two or more "domestically related crimes" (defined as crimes against someone eligible for family law relief or with whom they had a sexual relationship within 12 months) to register as domestic violence offenders. Within 7 days of the second conviction, registrants must provide their full name, crime details, physical description, valid ID, and signature to a supervising authority (like a court or correctional facility). Registration lasts 2 years for one prior conviction or 5 years for two or more convictions, and the Department of Public Safety must make this information publicly available online. This bill directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders in Maryland, creating a formal registration system to track them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires registration for repeat domestic violence offenders to monitor and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 514: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Assault

SB 514 redefines third-degree assault in Maryland as a misdemeanor involving intentional non-consensual touch a reasonable person would find offensive, excluding cases involving physical injury, domestic violence, or sexual crimes. It creates a new offense with penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine for causing "offensive contact," engaging in conduct that puts someone in fear of such contact, or attempting it. The bill also modifies expungement eligibility for certain convictions and clarifies court procedures for charging third-degree assault cases. It directly affects individuals committing non-injurious, non-domestic, non-sexual assault-like acts under this new standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedefines third-degree assault as misdemeanor for minor offensive touch (excluding serious cases), reducing criminalization of low-level offenses and modifying expungement to ease record clearance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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

HB 1366: Family Law - Final Protective Orders - Duration

HB 1366 amends Maryland's family law to ensure final protective orders remain effective for the full duration of a respondent's probation. It directly affects victims seeking protection and respondents on probation, requiring courts to maintain all order provisions until probation ends. The key provision (Section 4-506(j)(3)) prohibits early termination of protective orders if a respondent is on probation when the order is issued or later placed on probation. This change replaces prior language governing order duration and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures protective orders remain effective during probation, protecting victims' rights and aligning with criminal justice reform by maintaining victim safety throughout probation periods.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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

HB 1586: Protective Orders - Coercive Control

HB 1586 adds "coercive control" to Maryland's definition of abuse for protective order petitions, specifically for adults experiencing psychological manipulation. It defines coercive control as patterns of behavior including isolating victims from support networks, depriving them of basic needs, controlling finances or movements, or using threats (including about immigration status) to force compliance. This allows individuals in abusive relationships - where physical violence may not occur - to seek protective orders based on these non-physical tactics. The bill updates existing Family Law sections (4-501 and 4-504) to include these specific examples of coercive control as grounds for relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands protective order definitions to include coercive control, strengthening victim protections in domestic violence cases - a key criminal justice reform initiative.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 497: Family Law - Temporary and Final Protective Orders - Duration

HB 497 extends the effective duration of temporary protective orders from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days (previously 7 days) after service. It allows courts to order respondents to pay victims for specific abuse-related costs, including medical/dental care, property repairs, temporary shelter, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under this provision do not prevent victims from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. These changes apply to Maryland’s family law system, directly affecting victims of abuse, respondents in protective order cases, and courts handling such petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends protective order timelines and mandates victim compensation for abuse costs, enhancing victim access to justice within criminal justice framework85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 129: Domestic Violence - Warrantless Arrests and Victims

This bill expands domestic violence protections by allowing police to make warrantless arrests if they have strong evidence that someone battered a person they dated within the past year. It updates the legal definition of "victim of domestic violence" to include individuals injured by someone they had a sexual relationship with in the last year, not just spouses or cohabitants. Key provisions require police to have probable cause, evidence of injury, and a report filed within 48 hours to make such arrests. The law directly affects victims in dating relationships and law enforcement practices in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protections to include recent dating/sexual relationships, requires probable cause for arrests, updates victim definition - strengthens victim protections and police accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 20: Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act

SB 20, the "Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act," modifies Maryland's domestic violence protective order process to require firearm surrender when abuse involves firearms or threats. It directly affects victims seeking protective orders, respondents (abusers) who possess firearms, and law enforcement handling these cases. Key provisions mandate petitioners to provide specific firearm details (make, model, location, and vehicle info) if firearms are alleged to be in the respondent's possession, and require courts to automatically order firearm surrender and license relinquishment in temporary protective orders when abuse involved firearm use, threats, or serious harm. This strengthens firearm safety measures during domestic violence proceedings without changing eligibility for protective orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates firearm surrender in domestic violence cases to protect victims and improve law enforcement response, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim safety and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 433: Family Law - Temporary and Final Protective Orders - Duration

SB 433 extends the timeframe for temporary protective orders in Maryland from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days of service, rather than 7 days. It also adds new provisions allowing judges to order respondents to pay specific costs incurred due to abuse, including medical/dental care, property repairs, shelter, transportation, court fees, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under these provisions do not prevent petitioners from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (petitioners) and those accused of abuse (respondents) in family law cases. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends protective order timelines and mandates cost recovery for victims (medical, legal, etc.), enhancing victim protection and accountability in domestic violence cases, a key criminal justice reform area.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes medical/dental care costs as recoverable expenses in protective orders, improving access to healthcare services for victims of abuse.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 450: Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

HB 450 protects victims of sexual assault or stalking by requiring courts and parties in criminal or juvenile cases to redact identifying information (like names or addresses) from public court records and filings. It directly affects victims, courts, and legal parties by prohibiting disclosure of such information to nonparties unless the court finds "clear and convincing evidence" of good cause to allow it. The bill mandates redaction of victim identifiers in all filings - including charging documents - and requires courts to redact existing records upon written request from the victim. Exceptions only apply when a court specifically authorizes disclosure after reviewing evidence of necessity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims' identities in court records, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform by preventing re-victimization and encouraging reporting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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