HB 501 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority

HB 501 amends Maryland law to prohibit individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff working with minors) from engaging in sexual contact with minors who are at least six years younger. It increases penalties for violations: first offenses carry up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, while repeat offenders face up to three years in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill also adds this offense as a predicate crime for sexual solicitation of minors and updates definitions related to sex offender registry tiers. It directly affects educators, program leaders, and others in supervisory roles working with minors under age 18.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority → Enrolled - Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, changing its status from a draft House bill to an official enrolled bill. Substantively, the text of the Criminal Law sections regarding sexual offenses by persons in authority remains largely unchanged, though minor formatting adjustments were made to the definitions and penalty clauses.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; no new crimes, penalties, or definitions were added or removed in the text provided.

TECHNICAL

The document status changed from 'House Bill' to 'Enrolled Bill', indicating it has passed all legislative stages and is ready for the Governor's approval.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the header and explanatory notes, such as adding 'Proofreader' lines and adjusting the layout of the 'House Bill' title.

The text of the actual law sections (3-308 and 3-324) regarding definitions of 'person in a position of authority' and specific penalties appears identical to the previous version, with no substantive policy changes.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 28, 2026

How they voted

35–0

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

25 Yea 11

69% Yea

R Republican13

10 Yea 3

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 426

executive

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 28, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (129-0-13)

house of delegates

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (35-0-14)

senate

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors