SB 320 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding

This bill expands Maryland's expungement options by allowing individuals to have certain criminal records sealed if their case ended without a conviction. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 10-110(j)) permitting expungement for cases disposed of with a "no finding" designation or formally terminated without a finding by the court. This directly affects people who completed diversion programs or had cases dismissed without a formal conviction, such as in pretrial diversion or dismissals without judgment. The change modifies existing expungement law to include these non-conviction dispositions, making it easier for affected individuals to clear their records.

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 22, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding → Third - Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was advanced to its third reading with a favorable committee report, indicating it is moving closer to becoming law. The text of the bill itself contains significant substantive changes to the expungement eligibility criteria, expanding the list of offenses eligible for expungement and clarifying the conditions under which a case terminated without a finding qualifies for relief. These changes broaden the scope of individuals who can petition to have their criminal records sealed.

Scope change

The bill's scope has expanded to include additional specific offenses and clarified the eligibility for cases where charges were dismissed without a finding.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of misdemeanors and felonies eligible for expungement was reorganized and expanded, adding new specific statutes and clarifying the inclusion of attempts, conspiracies, and solicitations.

The criteria for expunging cases terminated without a finding were updated to explicitly include dispositions made by a court with a 'no finding' designation or cases designated as 'terminated without finding'.

TIMELINE

New procedural status was added showing the bill has a favorable committee report and was adopted by the Senate, with a second reading date of March 2, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The introductory language was revised to clarify that the act authorizes a person to file a petition for expungement.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

43–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 49

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

11 Yea 2

84% Yea

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 465

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 25, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (131-0-11)

house of delegates

Mar 21, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until 3/20 (Senator Smith) Adopted

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (43-0-6)

senate

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors