Criminal Justice (Firearms)

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

HB 741: Firearms Dealers and Employees - Required Training and Exam

HB 741 requires all Maryland firearms dealers and their employees to complete annual training and pass a written exam on firearm laws, safety, theft prevention, and recognizing illegal activities like straw purchases. Starting January 1, 2027, new applicants must complete the training before applying, current dealers must renew annually, and new hires must complete it within 20 days of starting work. The Secretary of State Police must approve a training course by October 1, 2026, and administer the exam, with a passing score of 70%. Dealers must maintain records of all passed exams, and violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequiring training on recognizing illegal activities (e.g., straw purchases) strengthens firearm regulation and prevents crime, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

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

HB 1309: Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

HB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study racial disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, directly addressing inequities per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

Track

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

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 692: Firearms Dealers and Employees - Required Training and Exam

SB 692 requires all licensed firearms dealers, their applicants, and employees to complete mandatory training and pass a written exam by January 1, 2027. The training covers state/federal firearm laws, preventing theft, safe storage, recognizing straw purchases, trafficking, and other illegal activities. Dealers must maintain proof of completion for all employees at their business location, and failure to comply carries a $1,000 civil penalty. The Secretary of State Police must approve at least one online training course and administer the exam by October 1, 2026, with a 70% passing requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training for firearms dealers to prevent illegal activities like trafficking and straw purchases, aligning with criminal justice prevention efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

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

HB 1123: Criminal Law - Minor's Access to Firearms - Penalty

HB 1123 amends Maryland's criminal code to impose misdemeanor penalties for adults who store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where they knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. The law directly affects adult firearm owners responsible for storage safety, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exemptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement use during duty, or minors with valid hunter safety certificates. The bill explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases involving firearm-related injuries or property damage. This bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties to prevent minors' firearm access, promoting public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing responsible storage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

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

HB 197: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

HB 197 creates a new excise tax on firearms, accessories, and ammunition sales by dealers in Maryland. The tax applies to all retail sales within the state, with revenue distributed to five specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention, 26% to trauma care, 20% to community support, 20% to survivor services, and 8% to the University of Maryland Medical System. The bill directs funds to supplement existing programs rather than replace them. This tax targets firearms dealers as the direct taxpayers, with revenue funding state-level safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new excise tax on firearms dealers to fund community safety programs, supplementing existing services without replacement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds violence prevention & trauma care programs, key criminal justice reform initiatives targeting root causes of violence.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% to trauma care and 8% to University of Maryland Medical System, directly funding healthcare services without replacement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 118: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

SB 118 imposes a new excise tax on gross receipts from firearm, accessory, and ammunition sales by federally licensed dealers in Maryland. The tax revenue will fund specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention initiatives, 26% to trauma centers, 20% to community safety partnerships, and smaller portions to survivor support and trauma physician services. The bill rewrites multiple sections of Maryland law to create this tax, establish revenue distribution rules, and define key terms like "firearm" and "ammunition." It explicitly states the funding is intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new excise tax on firearm sales to fund community safety programs (violence prevention, trauma centers), directly advancing fiscal management through targeted revenue allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds violence prevention (26%) and trauma centers (26%) via firearm tax, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism and community safety partnerships.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% of tax revenue to trauma centers, directly funding healthcare infrastructure and emergency services as part of community safety programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Firearms

Track

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

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 281: Family Law - Child Care Providers - Criminal Background Investigations

HB 281 requires background checks for individuals working with children in specific settings. It mandates licensed child care centers, family child care homes, foster care facilities, schools, camps, and similar organizations to obtain national and state criminal history checks for all employees, volunteers, and certain caregivers - including neighbors or friends providing sudden care due to a primary caretaker's unavailability. Facilities must submit fingerprints and pay a fee to the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository. The bill directly affects providers serving minors and expands background check requirements to include new categories like "sudden caregivers" and individuals residing in homes where informal child care occurs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires criminal background checks for child care workers, enhancing public safety and preventing harm through proactive screening in criminal justice systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 323: Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction, Detention, and Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act)

SB 323 (Youth Charging Reform Act) removes restrictions that previously prevented Maryland juvenile courts from handling cases involving youth aged 16 and older accused of serious crimes. It repeals provisions that excluded such cases for offenses like murder, robbery, gun crimes, and aggravated violence, expanding juvenile court jurisdiction to include these charges. Now, youth 16+ facing these specific allegations will be processed in juvenile court instead of being automatically sent to adult court. This change affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and youth aged 16+ charged with the listed offenses under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile court jurisdiction for 16+ youth in serious crimes, shifting cases from adult system to rehab-focused juvenile court, advancing reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice