Criminal Justice (Corrections)

HB 697 prohibits incarcerated individuals convicted of first-degree murder (under §2-201 of the Criminal Law Article) from earning time-off credits that reduce their prison sentences. It also denies these credits for certain child-related offenses, including specific violations under §3-303, §3-304, §3-305, §3-306, and §3-307 of the Criminal Law Article involving victims under 16 years old. The law applies to all Maryland state and local correctional facilities and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects people serving sentences for these offenses by eliminating a mechanism that could shorten their confinement terms.

HB 138 clarifies that committing sexual contact without consent during a burglary (first, second, or third degree) constitutes a third-degree sexual offense. It updates sex offender registration definitions to include this specific offense under "Tier I" and "Tier II" categories, affecting individuals convicted of such acts. The bill modifies Maryland’s criminal code to explicitly link burglary with non-consensual sexual contact, raising the offense to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. These changes directly impact offenders convicted of sexual contact during burglaries and alter how their registration levels are determined under state law.

HB 329 prohibits school resource officers (SROs) in Maryland from engaging in sexual activity, contact, or intercourse with students enrolled in schools where they are assigned. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Law (Section 3-314) to explicitly add students at an SRO's assigned school as a protected group under this prohibition, with penalties including up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine for violations. It defines "school resource officer" in Education Law (Section 7-1501) to clarify the scope of the restriction. The law applies directly to law enforcement officers serving in school settings and takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 279 establishes a medication review committee within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to evaluate requests for involuntary psychotropic medication when an incarcerated individual refuses it, applying only to licensed mental health infirmaries in state correctional facilities. The bill prohibits administering such medication without committee approval, except in emergencies, and requires the committee to review medical records, consider less restrictive alternatives, and ensure the individual understands risks and benefits before a decision. Incarcerated individuals gain specific rights under the bill, including 10 business days' written notice of committee meetings, the right to attend (excluding closed deliberations), present information, and receive details about their diagnosis and treatment options. The committee, composed of appointed mental health professionals and a lay advisor, must document its rationale and follow defined procedures before authorizing medication against an individual's refusal.

HB 631 increases penalties for threatening state or local officials, deputies, or public defenders in Maryland. It reclassifies violations from misdemeanors to felonies, raising maximum penalties to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine (up from 3 years/$2,500). The bill specifically targets threats involving taking life, kidnapping, or causing physical injury to the listed officials. It affects anyone making such threats against designated public officials and takes effect October 1, 2026.

HB 287 modifies Maryland's lifetime sexual offender supervision requirements. It mandates lifelong supervision for individuals convicted of specific serious sexual offenses (like crimes against minors under certain age thresholds or repeat offenses), requiring conditions such as GPS tracking, restrictions near schools, mandatory treatment programs, and prohibitions on contact with minors. Violating these conditions can result in misdemeanor or felony penalties (up to 10 years in jail), with supervision continuing even after punishment. Individuals may petition for discharge after serving at least five years, subject to court review.

SB 406 redefines "drug trafficking crime" in Maryland law to include misdemeanor violations of cannabis possession (specifically § 5-602(b)(1) and § 5-603(b)), not just felonies. This means individuals charged with misdemeanor cannabis offenses - like possessing quantities suggesting intent to distribute - will now be subject to firearm restrictions during those offenses. The bill adds that possessing a firearm during such a misdemeanor cannabis violation constitutes a separate felony, carrying a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for a first offense. It directly affects people facing misdemeanor cannabis charges by expanding the scope of offenses triggering enhanced firearm penalties. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

HB 115 automatically restores voting rights for Maryland residents released from state prisons who were registered to vote before incarceration. The Department of Public Safety must send the State Board of Elections a weekly list of released individuals' names and new addresses, prompting the Board to reactivate their voter registration at their updated address. The bill requires the Board to send notification cards confirming voting eligibility and the right to update address or decline registration, while prohibiting public disclosure of how someone was restored through this process. This applies to all released individuals with prior registration who now reside in Maryland, effective January 2027.