Immigration (Enforcement)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1017: Correctional Services - Private Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement

HB 1017 prohibits Maryland state or local governments from approving private entities to operate immigration detention facilities unless the facility’s use is explicitly permitted under applicable zoning laws. It defines such facilities as buildings housing individuals for immigration violations (including those with security features like perimeter fencing or locked areas), and clarifies that general "government/institutional" zoning does not cover them. Private operators violating this face civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and the Attorney General can enforce the law through court actions. The law applies retroactively to existing agreements for facilities intended for immigration detention, regardless of prior permits or investments.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits private immigration detention facilities without explicit zoning approval, restricting enforcement infrastructure and limiting state/local cooperation with federal immigration detention systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 792: Hospitals - Immigration Enforcement Action - Policy Requirement

SB 792 requires the State Health Services Cost Review Commission to create and publish a model policy for hospitals regarding immigration enforcement actions. It also mandates that certain hospitals in Maryland develop their own policies based on this model. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's health code to implement these requirements, focusing on standardizing how hospitals address immigration enforcement within their facilities. This directly affects designated hospitals by making written policies on immigration enforcement a formal requirement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to develop policies protecting patients from immigration enforcement during care, directly safeguarding patient access and rights within healthcare facilities.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates hospitals to develop policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, protecting immigrant patients within healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 504: Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act)

SB 504 prohibits businesses from selling consumer personal data to buyers who intend to use it for immigration enforcement. It defines "sensitive data" to include immigration status, racial origin, health information, and sexual orientation, requiring businesses to handle such data more carefully. The bill also mandates public record custodians to prevent unauthorized disclosure - especially for immigration enforcement - and requires message switching systems to implement access controls. These changes aim to strengthen privacy protections for Maryland residents while modifying existing data privacy laws in the state code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly classifies health information as 'sensitive data' requiring careful handling, protecting patient privacy through data safeguards without restricting healthcare access or funding.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits selling immigration status data to enforcement agencies, limiting federal cooperation and protecting immigrant privacy per bill's data handling requirements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits selling sensitive consumer data for immigration enforcement, defines sensitive data categories, mandates stricter handling and access controls - directly strengthens data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

Track

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1341: Immigration Enforcement - Expanding Sensitive Locations, Notification, and Guidance (Maryland Values Act of 2026)

HB 1341 prohibits public school security personnel - including school resource officers, security employees, and certain law enforcement officers - from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee records for immigration purposes. The bill requires security staff to immediately contact school officials if presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order for immigration-related information. It amends Maryland's Education Code to clarify that school security cannot be used for immigration investigations under federal §287(G) and must comply with state privacy laws. This directly affects school security staff and protects students, employees, and their families from immigration enforcement activities within public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits school security from engaging in immigration enforcement, protecting immigrant students' access to schools and creating safer educational environments.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits school staff from engaging in federal immigration enforcement and sharing student records, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration efforts per Maryland Values Act.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits sharing student records for immigration without warrant, protecting data privacy per technology topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

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

HB 495: Criminal Procedure - Immigration Arrest - Immunity in Connection With Court Proceeding

HB 495 provides legal immunity from immigration arrests for individuals attending court hearings as parties, witnesses, or as family/household members of such individuals. It prohibits immigration arrests during travel to, at, or from court unless authorized by a judicial warrant. Violations of this provision are punishable as misdemeanors (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) or felonies (up to 4 years in jail or $5,000 fine), and affected individuals can seek legal remedies including injunctions and attorney fees. The law directly affects people participating in court proceedings and their close relatives living in the same household, aiming to prevent immigration enforcement from disrupting court access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from immigration arrests during court attendance, protecting access to justice and civil rights within criminal proceedings.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits immigration arrests during court proceedings, protecting immigrant access to justice and limiting enforcement interference with legal processes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 31, 2026

HB 711: Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act)

HB 711, the Data Privacy Act, prohibits businesses from selling consumer data they know or should know will be used for immigration enforcement. It requires public record custodians to prevent unauthorized access to records, especially for immigration purposes, and mandates reasonable rules to block such access. The bill also defines "sensitive data" to include immigration status, health information, racial background, and biometric data, requiring entities to handle this data carefully. Additionally, it sets new rules for message switching systems (like messaging apps) to prevent misuse of user data. These changes directly affect businesses handling consumer data, government record keepers, and digital service providers in Maryland.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits data sales for immigration enforcement and defines immigration status as sensitive data, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement efforts.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits selling consumer data for immigration enforcement, mandates protection of sensitive data including biometrics and health info, strengthening privacy safeguards per Data Privacy Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 444: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

HB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with indicators to limit federal enforcement cooperation and protect immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

HB 719: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement - Prohibition Against Sanctuary Policies

HB 719 prohibits Maryland state and local government entities, including county sheriffs and agencies, from adopting "sanctuary policies" that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It repeals existing laws that previously limited police from asking about immigration status during routine stops or detaining individuals solely for immigration violations. The bill requires local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration detainers when legally required and removes barriers to federal agents accessing sensitive locations (like schools) with valid warrants. This directly affects police departments, sheriffs' offices, and local government agencies in their daily interactions with federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits sanctuary policies and mandates law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration detainers, removing protections against immigration-based profiling and detentions, opposing criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits sanctuary policies and mandates state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, increasing enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Public Safety

Track

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

HB 630: Correctional Services - Immigration Detention Facilities - Original Design and Construction

HB 630 prohibits private entities from operating immigration detention facilities in buildings not originally designed and constructed for housing or detaining people. It specifically bans converting existing structures (like warehouses or offices) into detention centers. The bill also prevents state/local governments from entering agreements, providing funding, or approving zoning for such facilities operated by private entities. This directly affects private operators seeking to establish immigration detention centers and local governments considering facility partnerships.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPrevents state/local funding/approval for private immigration detention facilities, restricting government spending on this specific program.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits private operation of immigration detention in non-dedicated facilities, restricting enforcement infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 245: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement, reducing potential civil rights violations and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, directly limiting such agreements per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies