Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 906: Criminal Law - Distribution of Heroin or Fentanyl Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader's Law)

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony offense for drug distribution causing harm, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 765: Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

HB 765 amends Maryland's criminal code to explicitly prohibit counterfeiting or possessing counterfeit leases and rental agreements with intent to defraud. It adds "lease" (subsection a(7)) and "rental agreement" (a(13)) to the list of items protected under counterfeiting laws, which previously covered items like bonds and checks. Creating or aiding in creating such counterfeits becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, while knowingly possessing them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who fraudulently create or use fake rental documents, such as those attempting to evade rent or commit property fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by making lease counterfeiting a felony, increasing penalties for fraud under criminal law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 512: Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties

SB 512 amends Maryland's stalking law to increase penalties for specific stalking offenses. It elevates stalking to a felony (with up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine) if the offender had a protective order against them, violated a court order prohibiting the behavior, or has a prior stalking conviction in Maryland or another state. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who meet these aggravating conditions. Key provisions clarify that stalking includes unwanted electronic tracking without consent and define the circumstances under which penalties escalate. The law maintains existing definitions of stalking but strengthens consequences for repeat offenders and those violating court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony penalties for stalking with protective order violations, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentences per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 736: Criminal Law - Obscene Matter - Visual Representation of Child

SB 736 updates Maryland's criminal law regarding visual representations of children. It raises the age limit from 16 to 18 for material depicting children in sexual contexts or abuse, making possession or viewing such material illegal for children under 18. Penalties increase significantly, with first offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison or $25,000 in fines, and repeat offenses becoming felonies with up to 20 years in prison or $50,000 fines. The bill also allows individuals depicted in such material to file civil lawsuits for damages (including up to $250,000 in punitive damages) without needing a prior criminal conviction, and requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on enforcement and technology changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for child exploitation material possession and expands criminalization by raising age limit from 16 to 18, increasing mandatory sentences and broadening criminal scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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

HB 782: Criminal Law - Taking and Breaking Open Letters - Penalty

HB 782 amends Maryland's criminal law to increase the penalty for illegally opening another person's mail. The bill raises the fine for violating this prohibition from $15 to $500 while keeping the maximum jail term at six days. It directly affects individuals who take or break open letters addressed to others without permission, including mail carriers or others accessing private correspondence. The key change is the substantial fine increase, making the penalty more severe for this specific violation. The amendment becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases fines for mail tampering, expanding criminalization of minor offenses and raising penalties without reform context, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 767: Criminal Law - Theft and Opening of Mail and Packages

HB 767 updates Maryland's criminal law to specifically address theft and unauthorized opening of mail and packages. It prohibits taking or opening mail/package not addressed to you without permission (Section 3-905) and makes stealing mail/package delivered by USPS or a delivery company a felony (Section 7-106.1), punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The bill requires courts to notify the U.S. Postmaster General of convictions involving USPS-delivered mail or packages. It directly affects individuals who steal or tamper with mail or packages intended for others, particularly those handled by USPS or commercial delivery services.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for mail theft to felony (5 years), expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1146: Crime of Violence - Medical Facilities and Places of Worship - Penalty (Sacred Places Safety Act)

HB 1146, the "Sacred Places Safety Act," prohibits committing any crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) within medical facilities or places of worship. It directly affects individuals who commit such acts in these locations, which include hospitals, clinics, and nonresidential religious gathering spaces. The bill increases penalties by making such violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in addition to penalties for the underlying violent crime. This law takes effect June 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant locations statewide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for violent crimes in medical facilities/worship spaces, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill's explicit penalty enhancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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

HB 873: Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel - Increased Penalties (Jamari's Law)

HB 873 increases prison sentences for drivers who cause death through extreme carelessness while operating a vehicle or vessel. For a first offense, the maximum sentence rises from 10 to 20 years; for repeat offenses, it increases from 15 to 30 years. The bill does not change fines, which remain up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses. This law affects a very limited number of cases, as only about 30 people were incarcerated for this specific offense in Maryland during fiscal 2025, making its overall impact minimal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison sentences for vehicular manslaughter, reflecting stricter sentencing approach rather than reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for vehicular manslaughter, enhancing road safety regulations under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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 JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates mail theft to felony with mandatory prison terms/fines, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity, opposing reform-focused justice priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

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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 JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for property fraud with escalating penalties, expanding criminalization of non-violent offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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