Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 551: Criminal Law - Drug Paraphernalia and Controlled Paraphernalia Prohibitions - Repeal

HB 551 repeals specific sections of Maryland's Criminal Law that prohibited certain drug paraphernalia and controlled paraphernalia. It removes prohibitions related to items like syringes, packaging materials, and cutting agents used with controlled substances (excluding cannabis). The bill directly affects individuals who might possess these items under current law, as the repeal eliminates criminal penalties for such possession. This change modifies Maryland's legal definitions and prohibitions regarding drug paraphernalia by deleting the referenced sections from the Annotated Code.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Jheanelle Wilkins (D) Nicole Williams (D) Charlotte Crutchfield (D) Stephanie Smith (D) Sean Stinnett (D)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 213: Evidence – Interception of Oral Communications – Fair Housing Testing

HB 213 allows fair housing testers working for qualified programs (federal, state, local governments, or nonprofit civil rights organizations with specific experience) to legally record oral conversations when testing for housing discrimination. It permits this only if the tester is a party to the conversation and the recording is solely to gather evidence of a fair housing violation under federal, state, or local law. The bill strictly limits the use of such recordings - they cannot be admitted as evidence in court but may only be used to enforce fair housing laws. This directly affects fair housing organizations and their testers by creating a legal pathway to collect evidence of discrimination in housing. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 169: Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Good Cause

HB 169 allows individuals with past misdemeanor or felony convictions to petition courts for expungement (removal of court records) after specific waiting periods: 5 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies following completion of sentences, parole, or probation. Courts may grant expungement if a person demonstrates "good cause," considering factors like the crime's nature, rehabilitation success, public safety risk, and the impact of the conviction on employment or housing. If denied, the decision cannot be appealed, and the person must wait 3 years before reapplying for the same conviction. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to clear past criminal records to improve access to jobs, housing, and other opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 32: Local Law Enforcement Vehicles - Requirements - Automated External Defibrillators

HB 32 requires all local law enforcement vehicles in Maryland to carry an automated external defibrillator (AED), a medical device that automatically analyzes heart rhythms and delivers shocks if needed. Local law enforcement agencies must also maintain the AEDs' functionality to ensure they work when required. The bill applies to all local police departments and agencies operating vehicles used for law enforcement. It takes effect October 1, 2026, mandating this equipment without specifying additional funding or enforcement details.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 544: Vehicle Laws - Cannabis Use in Motor Vehicle With Minor Occupant - Prohibition

HB 544 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle when a minor (under 18) is present. This applies to all occupants, including drivers and passengers, and creates a new misdemeanor offense for violations. Penalties include up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill, introduced in January 2026, will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 526: Civil Actions - Settlement Agreements - Payment and Release

HB 526 requires defendants in tort cases (like car accidents or personal injury claims) to provide a settlement release draft to plaintiffs within 10 days of agreeing to pay and to pay the full settlement amount within 15 days after the plaintiff provides the signed release or court approval. It also mandates that plaintiffs protect third-party claims (such as medical bills or attorney liens) by submitting specific documentation, like lien releases or letters holding funds in an attorney trust account. If defendants miss these deadlines, interest accrues on the settlement amount at the legal judgment rate from the agreement date until payment. The law applies only to future settlements starting October 1, 2026, and excludes personal asset payments.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 507: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

HB 507 extends the funding period for a grant program supporting nonprofit organizations that provide automotive repair training and reentry services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. The bill allows the Governor to appropriate $1 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 (previously ending in 2028) for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 people yearly, provide nationally recognized automotive repair certificates, and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. These organizations must report on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention. The extension ensures continued access to job training and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 463: First Degree Murder - Diminution Credits - Prohibition

HB 463 prohibits incarcerated individuals serving sentences for specific first-degree murder convictions from earning time-off credits (diminution credits) that reduce their prison terms. It directly affects people convicted of murder under Maryland law, including those convicted of murder involving a child under 16 (under older statutes), repeat child murder offenders, or any first-degree murder (§2-201 of the Criminal Law Article). The bill amends Maryland’s Correctional Services law to block these credits for the specified offenses, effective October 1, 2026. This change applies only to sentences for offenses committed on or after that date, not past cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 131: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Adverse Actions and Removal From Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) System

This bill proposes changes to Maryland's criminal procedure system regarding expungement records and their removal from the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system. It directly affects individuals seeking to clear their criminal records by establishing specific procedures for expunging adverse actions from court databases. The key mechanism involves updating how the state manages and removes expunged information from the electronic court system to ensure privacy and accuracy. This legislation focuses on administrative processes rather than creating new criminal offenses or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 150: Circuit Court Judges - Selection and Retention Elections

HB 150 proposes constitutional changes to how circuit court judges are selected and retained. It would replace the current system of direct elections with a retention vote process: judges appointed by the governor to fill vacancies would face voter approval at the next general election one year after appointment, and every 10 years thereafter. This applies only to circuit court judges (not appellate or Supreme Court judges) and does not affect judges elected to initial terms. The bill requires voter approval for these retention votes, with "yes" meaning continued service for 10 years. It is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a regular bill, and would require voter ratification after legislative passage.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 464: Criminal Procedure - No-Knock Search Warrants - Repeal

HB 464 repeals Maryland's existing law allowing no-knock search warrants, requiring law enforcement officers to always announce their presence and authority before entering a residence during a search. This directly affects police officers executing search warrants and residents living in properties subject to searches. The bill removes all exceptions permitting entry without notice, mandating that officers provide audible announcement of their authority and purpose prior to entry. It specifically repeals provisions in Maryland's Criminal Procedure and Public Safety codes that previously permitted no-knock warrants under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 113: Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Resisting Arrest and Making a False Statement to a Law Enforcement Officer

HB 113 would allow individuals convicted of misdemeanor resisting arrest (§9-408) or making false statements to police (§9-501, §9-502) to petition for expungement of those records under Maryland law. It directly affects people with these specific misdemeanor convictions who currently cannot clear such records. The bill amends the expungement statute (§10-110(a)(1)(xii)) to add these offenses to the list of eligible misdemeanors. This change applies only to misdemeanor offenses (not felonies) and would take effect October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results