SB 323 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction, Detention, and Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act)

SB 323 (Youth Charging Reform Act) removes restrictions that previously prevented Maryland juvenile courts from handling cases involving youth aged 16 and older accused of serious crimes. It repeals provisions that excluded such cases for offenses like murder, robbery, gun crimes, and aggravated violence, expanding juvenile court jurisdiction to include these charges. Now, youth 16+ facing these specific allegations will be processed in juvenile court instead of being automatically sent to adult court. This change affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and youth aged 16+ charged with the listed offenses under Maryland law.

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 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction (Youth Charging Reform Act) → Third - Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction, Detention, and Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from juvenile court jurisdiction to include detention, confinement, and transportation of children. The sponsor list was updated to include new legislators, and the bill's status was recorded as adopted with amendments. The list of repealed and reenacted statutes was expanded to include additional sections in the Courts, Criminal Procedure, Education, and Human Services articles.

Scope change

The bill's title and scope were broadened to explicitly cover detention, confinement, and transportation of children in addition to jurisdiction.

SCOPE

The bill title was updated to include 'Detention, and Confinement' and the summary of changes now requires intake officer authorization for detention and regulates transportation.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of sponsors was expanded to include Senators Brooks, Ferguson, Watson, and West.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to the list of repealed statutes, including sections related to Human Services and State Government.

TECHNICAL

The bill's procedural status was updated to reflect that it was adopted with floor amendments and a favorable committee report.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

How they voted

34–12

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 49

Feb 23, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 1 Nay 3

88% Yea

R Republican13

2 Yea 11 Nay

84% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 609

executive

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Amended

Floor Amendment (Delegate Buckel) Rejected

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Not Allow Laid Over (Delegate Ruth) Adopted

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Delegate Pippy) Adopted

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 19, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (93-39-10)

house of delegates

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator Smith) Adopted

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (34-12-3)

senate

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors