Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 759: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation

HB 759 removes a time limit preventing certain individuals from filing motions to reduce their prison sentences. It directly affects adults convicted as adults for crimes committed when they were minors (before October 1, 2021) after serving 20+ years, or adults aged 18-24 convicted of non-violent offenses (excluding sex offenders or specific murders) after 20+ years in prison. The bill repeals a prior restriction, allowing these individuals to submit new motions to reduce their sentences, requiring court hearings where they may present evidence and victims may submit impact statements. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 902: Retire in Maryland Tax Relief Act

This bill creates a state income tax credit for Maryland residents aged 77 and older to help reduce their tax burden. Eligible taxpayers must have federal adjusted gross income below $175,000 for individuals or $250,000 for couples filing jointly. The credit amount increases with age, ranging from 25% of the state income tax for those turning 77 to a full 100% credit for those aged 80 and older. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and prevents taxpayers from claiming both this credit and another existing senior tax credit in the same year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 793: Criminal Procedure - Theft - Notification of Victims and Victims' Representatives

HB 793 requires Maryland prosecutors to notify victims of theft or their representatives (such as family members or guardians for minors, deceased, or disabled victims) about key case details in misdemeanor theft cases. This applies to thefts of property or services valued at $100 or more (but less than $1,500) or under $100. Within 10 days of a court filing, prosecutors must send victims a pamphlet and a form to request updates, and victims who complete the form will receive notifications about DNA evidence and case matches. The bill streamlines victim communication by making the notification process automatic for eligible cases without requiring additional requests from victims.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 640: Criminal Procedure - Postconviction Release - Crimes Resulting in Death of Young Victim

SB 640 prohibits courts from releasing defendants after conviction but before sentencing or appellate review if they were convicted of specific crimes resulting in the death of a victim under 14 years old. It applies to cases involving: (1) a "crime of violence" under Maryland law, or (2) a violation of child neglect laws (§ 3-602.1) that caused the victim’s death. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses who would otherwise be eligible for pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and modifies Maryland’s postconviction release procedures under Article 5, Section 5-301.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 749: Criminal Procedure - Theft - Notification of Victims and Victims' Representatives

HB 749 requires prosecutors in Maryland to notify victims (or their designated representatives) about court proceedings in theft cases involving property or services valued at $100 or more. This applies to misdemeanor thefts between $100-$1,500 and all thefts under $100, with victims or representatives defined as family members, guardians, or advocates for minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. Prosecutors must mail specific forms and notifications within 10 days of an indictment, allowing victims to request updates via a state system (MDEC) or written form. The bill also clarifies that filing these requests satisfies legal requirements for victim notification under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 885: Criminal Law - Causing Ingestion of an Abortion-Inducing Drug - Prohibition (Women's Freedom From Coercion Act)

HB 885 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest a drug that induces abortion when the person knows the other is pregnant and acts without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force. It directly affects individuals who attempt to compel another person to take such medication under these conditions. The law creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison for violations. The bill, titled the "Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act," takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 847: Criminal Law - Fraud - Possession of Residential Real Property

HB 847 makes it a misdemeanor to possess or claim rights to residential property you don’t legally own with intent to defraud. Violations carry escalating penalties: up to 90 days in jail or $500 for a first offense, increasing to 1 year/jail or $2,500 for repeat offenses within two years. Property owners can file a sworn affidavit with the sheriff to request law enforcement remove alleged fraudsters, but officers must halt removal if the person presents evidence of lawful possession. The law explicitly states it doesn’t prevent owners from filing standard wrongful detainer lawsuits under existing property law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 617: Video Lottery Operations - Prohibitions on Campaign Contributions - Parity Act

SB 617 repeals a Maryland law that previously banned video lottery license applicants, license holders, and owners of video lottery facilities from making campaign contributions to candidates for nonfederal public office. The bill removes this restriction, allowing those in the video lottery industry to directly or indirectly contribute to political campaigns. It specifically targets Section 13-237 of the Election Law, which previously prohibited such contributions. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 790: State Transfer Tax - Exemption for First-Time Home Buyers - Alterations

HB 790 exempts first-time homebuyers in Maryland from the state transfer tax when purchasing improved residential property they will occupy as their primary residence. The bill replaces existing tax exemption language to clarify that qualifying buyers (those who have never owned residential property in Maryland as their principal home) and their agents must submit a sworn statement confirming their status and occupancy plans. The exemption applies to the 0.25% transfer tax rate, which remains the seller’s responsibility to pay (though no tax is collected under this exemption). This change directly affects first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying properties, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 840: Property Tax - Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses

HB 840 would allow Baltimore City and local Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented to small businesses. This credit applies only to buildings located in designated Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or Main Street Maryland Communities (designated by the Department of Housing and Community Development). Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 757: Theft of Mail and Packages and Victim Notification

HB 757 makes theft of mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects anyone who steals such items and requires prosecutors to notify victims or their representatives about key court proceedings, including DNA evidence status and case updates. The bill specifies that "victim" includes family members or guardians of minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. It streamlines notification through mailed forms or an electronic system while allowing victims to keep their contact information confidential. These changes aim to strengthen penalties for package theft and improve victim communication in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 787: Criminal Law - Theft - Mail and Packages (Porch Piracy Act of 2026)

HB 787, the "Porch Piracy Act of 2026," makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or commercial carriers a felony. It directly affects individuals who take another person’s mail/package without permission (e.g., porch pirates) and courts handling such cases. Key provisions require offenders to return stolen items or pay restitution, with third or subsequent offenses carrying up to 3 years in prison, $1,500 fines, or both. For repeat offenders, courts may also mandate substance use disorder evaluation and treatment as part of sentencing. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results