HB 417 (Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act) regulates the sale of veterinary drugs medetomidine and xylazine. It prohibits retailers from selling these products without proof the buyer intends to use them for veterinary, scientific, or institutional purposes, and bans sales to anyone under 21. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including age verification and proof of intended use. Violations carry civil fines up to $6,500 per offense, with penalties deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The bill directly affects pharmacies, veterinary suppliers, and online retailers selling these specific products.
This bill prohibits Maryland government entities and contractors from entering into agreements to detain individuals in facilities owned, managed, or operated by private companies. It also bars state and local governments from paying for, subsidizing, or providing financial incentives related to the construction, operation, or management of privately run detention facilities. The law defines detention facilities broadly to include correctional, immigration, and other facilities used to detain people, while still allowing private companies to provide ancillary services like education, medical care, and maintenance. Additionally, the bill prevents government agencies from approving zoning variances or permits for buildings intended for private detention use, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
This Maryland bill requires the State Department of Education to collect and publish discipline-related data for all public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, special education programs, and specialized schools for students with visual or hearing impairments. The law mandates that schools with high suspension rates for specific student subgroups - defined by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, grade level, or English language proficiency - create action plans to address disproportional disciplinary practices. Schools are considered high-suspending if they suspend 10% or more of elementary students or 25% or more of secondary students within any subgroup, and the Department will use a risk ratio threshold of 2.0 to identify schools where removal rates for certain groups are disproportionately high compared to the state average. All discipline data will be made publicly available in a searchable, usable format on the Department's website, allowing parents and communities to review suspension statistics by school level and subgroup.
SB 105, known as the Real Time for Violent Crime Act or Geri's Law, proposes establishing a system to notify the public in real time when violent crimes occur in their communities. The bill directly affects residents and law enforcement agencies by creating a notification framework that would alert individuals about nearby violent incidents as they happen. Key provisions include setting up a centralized database for crime reporting and mandating that local authorities share this information with the public through various communication channels. The legislation aims to increase community awareness and safety by providing timely information about violent criminal activity.
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.
This bill creates a new criminal offense in Maryland for distributing heroin, fentanyl, or their chemical analogues when such distribution results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. It applies to anyone convicted of distributing these substances that cause harm, regardless of whether the victim used the drugs alone or mixed with other substances, and whether the distribution was direct or involved multiple transfers. The law establishes this as a separate felony carrying up to 20 years of consecutive prison time in addition to any other penalties, and allows prosecutions in either the county where the distribution occurred or where the death or injury happened.
This bill creates a new misdemeanor offense called third-degree assault in Maryland, which prohibits intentionally causing offensive contact, attempting to cause such contact, or engaging in conduct meant to make someone fear offensive contact. The law defines offensive contact as nonconsensual physical contact that a reasonable person would find offensive, but explicitly excludes contact that causes physical injury, creates a risk of serious injury, or involves domestic or sexual crimes. People convicted of this offense could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. The bill also updates legal procedures by clarifying how third-degree assault charges must be written in court documents and ensures that physical injury from a third-degree assault cannot be used as a defense against that charge. Additionally, it adjusts jurisdiction rules so that District Courts handle third-degree assault cases exclusively.
This bill updates Maryland's restrictive housing policies to strengthen protections for pregnant incarcerated individuals and limit how long people can be held in restrictive housing. It prohibits involuntary placement of pregnant people in restrictive housing except in specific emergency situations, such as when there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a credible flight risk that cannot be managed otherwise. The legislation requires frequent medical assessments, mandates that individuals receive at least 4 hours of daily time outside their cells, and establishes a reporting process for violations. Additionally, the bill creates a new oversight section requiring the Correctional Ombudsman to review implementation and includes stricter documentation requirements for any placement of pregnant individuals in restrictive housing.
This Maryland bill requires law enforcement agencies to issue protective body armor to officers before assigning them to any duties other than administrative work. The armor must meet current National Institute of Justice ballistic standards and have not passed its manufacturer-suggested replacement date. Agencies must replace expired armor within 31 days and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will withhold grant funds from agencies that do not comply with these replacement and reporting requirements. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 737, the "Parental Accountability Act," requires Maryland juvenile courts to place children on probation (instead of out-of-home placement) if they’ve repeatedly committed specific offenses: violent acts (like crimes of violence or firearm use) or been adjudicated as habitually truant more than once. The probation must include a court-approved treatment service plan and mandate participation from the child’s parents, guardians, or custodians in rehabilitation services. This bill directly affects youth with repeat offenses in these categories and their families, shifting focus from confinement to structured support. It amends Maryland’s juvenile code to prioritize treatment plans over secure detention for qualifying cases, excluding minor offenses like first-time cannabis possession or technical violations.
