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.
HB 1044 prohibits the release of defendants after conviction but before sentencing or final appeals for specific crimes resulting in the death of a child under 14. It applies directly to individuals convicted of either a violent crime (as defined in Maryland’s Criminal Law §14-101) or a violation of child neglect law (§3-602.1) that caused the death of a victim under age 14. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure Article to bar courts from granting pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release in these cases. The law would take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 787, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2026," makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or commercial carriers a felony. It directly affects individuals who take another person’s mail/package without permission (e.g., porch pirates) and courts handling such cases. Key provisions require offenders to return stolen items or pay restitution, with third or subsequent offenses carrying up to 3 years in prison, $1,500 fines, or both. For repeat offenders, courts may also mandate substance use disorder evaluation and treatment as part of sentencing. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 876 repeals a time limit that previously prevented certain individuals from filing a motion to reduce their prison sentence. It applies to people convicted as adults for crimes committed as minors (if sentenced before October 1, 2021) who have served 20+ years, or those convicted between ages 18-24 for non-violent crimes (excluding sex offenders and specific murders) who have served 20+ years. The bill requires courts to hold a hearing on such motions, allowing the individual to present evidence and victims to submit impact statements without cross-examination, with the individual required to attend in person or via video unless waived.
HB 1061 expands Maryland's enhanced sentencing for illegally carrying or transporting a handgun by including prior convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts. It affects individuals who have previously been convicted of gun-related offenses outside Maryland. The bill amends sentencing tiers so that these out-of-state or federal convictions now count toward mandatory minimum sentences under Section 4-203 of the Criminal Law. This means people with prior gun convictions in other jurisdictions face harsher penalties for violating Maryland's handgun laws.
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.
SB 640 prohibits courts from releasing defendants after conviction but before sentencing or appellate review if they were convicted of specific crimes resulting in the death of a victim under 14 years old. It applies to cases involving: (1) a "crime of violence" under Maryland law, or (2) a violation of child neglect laws (§ 3-602.1) that caused the victim’s death. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses who would otherwise be eligible for pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and modifies Maryland’s postconviction release procedures under Article 5, Section 5-301.
SB 620 modifies Maryland's sentencing for handgun violations by expanding the list of prior convictions that trigger enhanced penalties. It adds certain convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts to the list that count toward stricter sentencing under Section 4-203(c) of the Criminal Law. Specifically, if a person has prior convictions (including out-of-state or federal offenses that would violate Maryland's handgun laws), they face longer mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent violations. This directly affects individuals with prior criminal records who are convicted of carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun in Maryland.
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.
HB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
