Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 516: Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

SB 516 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to provide officers with bullet-resistant vests meeting current national safety standards (NIJ 0101.03) before assigning them to field duties - not just administrative work. Agencies must replace vests before the manufacturer’s expiration date and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so by the 31st day after expiration. The Commission then alerts the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, which can withhold grant funds from agencies that repeatedly miss replacement deadlines or fail to report. This law directly affects all local law enforcement agencies and their officers who perform active duties, with concrete changes to safety protocols and funding access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to provide mandated body armor, enhancing officer safety and operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1030: Office of the State Prosecutor - Investigation of Threats - Judges

HB 1030 expands Maryland's existing threat laws to specifically protect judges and judge-elects. The bill amends Section 3-708 of the Criminal Law to explicitly include "a judge or judge-elect" in the list of protected individuals (alongside state/local officials and prosecutors). It also adds a new subsection (VII) to Section 14-107 of the Criminal Procedure law, authorizing the State Prosecutor to investigate threats against judges or judge-elects. This change ensures judges receive the same legal protections against threats as other designated officials under current law. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects judges from threats under criminal law, strengthening judicial safety within the criminal justice system per its legislative intent.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 531: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexually Assaultive Behavior - Request for Verbal Acknowledgement (Verbal Waiver Transparency Act)

SB 531 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting verbal acknowledgments from victims of sexually assaultive behavior that would limit investigations, prevent prosecutions, or restrict the victim's legal rights. The bill requires agencies to document any victim request to limit or pause an investigation and follow recommended practices for follow-up. Victims who believe the law was violated can seek court orders to address the issue. This law directly affects sexual assault victims interacting with police and mandates new policies for all Maryland law enforcement agencies by January 2021. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits law enforcement from seeking verbal waivers that limit investigations/prosecutions of sexual assault, requiring documentation and court remedies for violations. Protects victims' civil rights and enhances law enforcement accountabil...95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 634: Office of the State Prosecutor - Investigation of Threats - Judges

SB 634 authorizes Maryland's State Prosecutor to investigate threats against judges or judge-elects. The bill amends the State Prosecutor's authority under Criminal Procedure Section 14-107 to explicitly include investigations of threats violating Criminal Law Section 3-708 when directed at judges or judge-elects. This expands existing protections for officials covered under the law, which previously included state/local officials, prosecutors, and public defenders but not judges. The key change is adding judges to the list of protected individuals whose threats trigger the State Prosecutor's investigative role, without altering penalty levels for making threats. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands judicial protection against threats, strengthening court integrity within criminal justice system by explicitly including judges under existing threat investigation authority.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 540: Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Promotion and Solicitation of Business - Prohibition

SB 540 prohibits private home detention monitoring agencies, their agents, and courthouse or correctional facility employees from soliciting business or promoting services on courthouse or correctional facility grounds. Specifically, it bans approaching individuals to use their services, distributing promotional materials, or otherwise soliciting business in these locations. The law applies directly to agencies providing home detention monitoring services and staff working at courthouses or correctional facilities. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors with fines up to $5,000 and potential license suspensions for licensed individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solicitation in courthouses to prevent coercion of defendants, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 544: Courtroom Security - Minimum Adequate Security Standard

SB 544 establishes minimum security staffing requirements for all Maryland courthouses. It requires courthouse security providers to have specific numbers of qualified officers present during proceedings: one officer per courtroom for most cases (starting July 2027), two officers for cases involving incarcerated individuals or potential custody changes, and one additional officer for every four or fewer courtrooms per floor. Security officers must meet the qualifications for a special police officer under Maryland law. The standards phase in over time, with full implementation by July 1, 2029, and take effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects all Maryland courthouses and the security entities responsible for staffing them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes security standards for courthouses, protecting court operations within criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 130: Task Force to Study Deed Fraud

HB 130 prohibits intentional fraud in property transactions, making it illegal to sell, convey, or lease real property you don’t own or to acquire property through deception, intimidation, or undue influence. It establishes criminal penalties (felony up to 10 years/$7,500 fine for major violations) and creates a new Deed Fraud Prevention Grant Fund to provide grants for identifying and preventing such fraud, including coordination with legal aid organizations. The bill also requires law enforcement to collect and analyze data on deed fraud incidents. These provisions directly affect property owners vulnerable to fraud, local governments seeking prevention grants, and law enforcement agencies handling related cases. The bill does not address broader housing policy but focuses on criminalizing specific fraudulent acts and funding prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a new Deed Fraud Prevention Grant Fund requiring state budget allocation to fund fraud prevention programs, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits deed fraud with criminal penalties and funds prevention efforts, strengthening enforcement against property crime.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 8: Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations

SB 8 prohibits using personal identifying information (like Social Security numbers or bank details) or AI-generated deepfakes - defined as computer images indistinguishable from real people - to cause harm, such as physical injury, emotional distress, or financial loss. It bans maliciously disclosing personal details via online services, assuming another’s identity for fraud (e.g., accessing healthcare or avoiding debt), and using devices that copy payment card data without consent. The law directly affects individuals or entities exploiting personal data or deepfakes for fraudulent gain, harassment, or harm. Victims may pursue civil lawsuits against violators, and the bill updates Maryland’s criminal law to address emerging threats from AI and deepfake technology.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits identity fraud and deepfakes causing harm, strengthening criminal law enforcement against tech-enabled crimes.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI deepfakes and misuse of personal data for fraud, directly enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections as defined in topic indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 162: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation

SB 162 repeals a deadline that previously prevented certain individuals from filing motions to reduce their prison sentences. It affects adults convicted as minors for crimes committed before their 18th birthday (and sentenced before October 1, 2021) or adults aged 18-25 convicted of non-violent offenses (not life sentences, sex offenders, or murder involving first responders). The bill removes the October 2021 cutoff, allowing eligible individuals to file motions regardless of when they were sentenced. If approved, courts must hold a hearing where the person can present evidence, and victims may submit impact statements without cross-examination. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals deadline blocking sentence reduction motions for eligible non-violent offenders and juvenile offenders, enabling judicial review to reduce sentences - directly advances criminal justice reform by expanding post-sentence review options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 294: Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

SB 294 requires courts and parties in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to redact identifying information (like names, addresses, or details that could reveal identity) from court filings and records involving victims of sexual assault or stalking. It directly affects these victims by preventing public disclosure of their personal details in court documents, unless a court finds "good cause" to allow it. The bill mandates that courts automatically redact such information upon request from a victim of sexual assault or stalking, and prohibits disclosure to nonparties without redaction. This applies to all court filings, including charging documents, and covers both current and existing case records. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy in court proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice