SB 296 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Juveniles - Detention and Confinement - Limitations on Juvenile Contact With Incarcerated Adults

This bill prohibits detaining juveniles (under 18) in any facility where they could see, hear, or otherwise have contact with incarcerated adults. It applies to all juveniles awaiting trial, convicted, or held in custody for offenses tried in adult court. The law requires juveniles to be held in secure juvenile facilities unless temporarily held for up to 6 hours in an adult facility - while separated by sight/sound - pending transfer to a juvenile facility. Exceptions for capacity issues or safety risks remain but must be documented by the court.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Jan 22, 2026
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Committee
1
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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