HB 32 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Board - Established

HB 32 establishes a Forensic Review Board within the Maryland Department of Health to review eligibility for release for people found not criminally responsible (NCR) at state facilities. The bill requires each facility to create a board of licensed healthcare providers that must annually assess NCR individuals and recommend to courts whether they should be discharged or released conditionally. It also creates a Community Forensic Aftercare Program to monitor people on conditional release. These changes replace current procedures under Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health laws, adding specific annual review requirements and written record-keeping for release decisions. The bill directly affects NCR patients in state facilities and their release pathways.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Oct 29, 2024 Signed Apr 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Board and Community Forensic Aftercare Program - Established → Third - Maryland Department of Health - Forensic Review Board - Established · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the role of forensic review boards by authorizing them to make recommendations on release or rehabilitation, rather than just reviewing eligibility. The bill also added new provisions for an 'authorized agent' to represent committed persons at board meetings, clarified notification timelines, and updated the bill's status to reflect it has been adopted by the House.

Scope change

The scope of forensic review board authority was expanded from purely eligibility review to include broader recommendations on release and rehabilitation.

REQUIREMENT

Forensic review boards are now authorized to make recommendations relating to the release or rehabilitation of committed persons, expanding their role beyond eligibility determinations.

Notification timelines were clarified, requiring the board to provide notice to committed persons and their counsel at least 10 days before meetings and within 10 days after issuing recommendations to the court.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'authorized agent' was added, allowing committed persons to select a non-counsel representative (such as a social worker) to attend and participate in forensic review board meetings.

ENFORCEMENT

New provision states that counsel for any party may not attend forensic review board meetings, limiting participation to the authorized agent and treatment team members.

TECHNICAL

Bill status was updated to reflect it has been adopted by the House and assigned a favorable committee report with amendments.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 16, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Mar 16, 2025

D Democratic33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 115

executive

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)

senate

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

lower

Mar 3, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-2)

house of delegates

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Health and Government Operations

lower

Oct 29, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

23 primary · 0 co-sponsors