Domestic Violence - Warrantless Arrests and Victims

SB 739 expands warrantless arrest authority for police in domestic violence cases by allowing arrests without a warrant if an officer has strong evidence that someone battered a current or former sexual partner within the past year. It also updates the legal definition of "victim of domestic violence" to include individuals injured by someone with whom they had a sexual relationship in the last year, previously excluding this group. This change directly affects victims in recent sexual relationships who were not covered under the prior definition for certain protections and programs. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Procedure Code (Section 2-204) and Family Law (Section 4-513), effective October 1, 2025.