SB 241 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration

SB 241 automatically restores voting rights for Maryland residents released from state correctional facilities who were previously registered to vote. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services must send weekly lists of released individuals (including new addresses) to the State Board of Elections, which then automatically reinstates their voter registration at the provided address. The bill prohibits disclosing that someone was restored through this process under public information laws. It directly affects people released from facilities like Patuxent Institution and Baltimore City Detention Center who were registered before incarceration. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration → Third - Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope by requiring the State Board of Elections and the Department of Public Safety to jointly develop and implement an electronic transmission process for restoring voter registration. Additionally, the list of data transmitted to the State Board was expanded to include more specific personal details, such as the last four digits of sensitive identification numbers, to facilitate the restoration process.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to mandate a joint development process between the State Board and the Department for implementing the restoration procedures, rather than leaving it solely to the Department.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the State Board of Elections and the Department of Public Safety to jointly develop and implement procedures and an electronic transmission process for restoring voter registration by January 1, 2028.

Modified the data transmission requirements to include the individual's full name, date of birth, the last four digits of their Social Security number, driver's license number, or state ID number, and the date of release, in addition to the new residential address.

TIMELINE

Changed the frequency of data transmission from a weekly basis to a weekly or monthly basis, providing more flexibility in how often the list is sent.

DEFINITION

Added the definition of 'State correctional facility' to include the centralized booking facility in Baltimore City operated by the Division of Pretrial Detention and Services.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

33–13

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 49

Feb 23, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

13 Nay

100% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 427

executive

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 22, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (98-32-12)

house of delegates

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator Salling) Adopted

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (33-13-3)

senate

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors