Criminal Justice (Courts)

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 5, 2026

SB 536: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

SB 536 repeals the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies in Maryland to notify law enforcement about certain violations of home detention conditions. Currently, agencies must notify law enforcement within 24 hours for most violations, 1 hour for equipment tampering, or immediately for entering prohibited areas. The bill removes this law enforcement notification obligation while keeping the requirement to notify the court. This change directly affects private monitoring agencies and the designated law enforcement agencies in Baltimore City or the relevant county, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves law enforcement notification requirement for home detention violations, weakening oversight of monitoring compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 776: Juvenile Law - Child in Need of Supervision - Mandatory Petition (NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act)

HB 776, the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act, requires Maryland intake officers to automatically file a petition declaring a child under 13 a "child in need of supervision" if the child is alleged to have caused a death through a criminal act (e.g., homicide or manslaughter). This applies specifically to cases where the child's actions would be a felony if committed by an adult. The bill removes the intake officer's discretion to handle such cases informally or dismiss them, mandating formal juvenile court processing. Law enforcement must also forward these complaints directly to the Department of Juvenile Services.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates formal juvenile proceedings for under-13s in felony cases, removing discretion and expanding criminalization of juvenile behavior, opposing reform trends that seek to divert youth from the justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 676: Criminal Law - Threat of Mass Violence - Penalty

SB 676 upgrades the penalty for threatening mass violence from a misdemeanor to a felony in Maryland. It directly affects individuals who make threats via oral, written, or electronic communication that would place five or more people at substantial risk of death or serious injury if carried out. The bill establishes a felony charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, and requires convicted individuals to reimburse government agencies for response costs. Key provisions clarify the threat threshold (affecting five or more people) and expand court options for penalties beyond standard fines or imprisonment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades threat penalties from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization of mass violence threats and increasing mandatory sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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

HB 792: Criminal Law - Theft - Mail and Packages (Porch Piracy Act of 2026)

HB 792 (Porch Piracy Act of 2026) makes stealing mail or packages delivered by USPS or private carriers a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects individuals who steal mail/packages and the recipients (victims) of such theft. Key provisions require courts to order thieves to either return the stolen item or pay restitution for its value to the victim. Additionally, interest accrued on overdue restitution payments must be split equally - 50% to the victim and 50% to the court. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies porch piracy as felony with 5-year max, mandates restitution - increases penalties without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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

HB 757: Theft of Mail and Packages and Victim Notification

HB 757 makes theft of mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It directly affects anyone who steals such items and requires prosecutors to notify victims or their representatives about key court proceedings, including DNA evidence status and case updates. The bill specifies that "victim" includes family members or guardians of minors, deceased, or disabled individuals. It streamlines notification through mailed forms or an electronic system while allowing victims to keep their contact information confidential. These changes aim to strengthen penalties for package theft and improve victim communication in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for theft (felony, 5-year sentence), expanding criminalization and aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1467: Criminal Law - Fourth Degree Sexual Offense - Out-of-State Convictions

HB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands prior conviction use for enhanced sentencing of repeat offenders, increasing penalties under fourth-degree sexual offense provisions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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

HB 31: Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause

HB 31 allows police officers in Maryland who are denied a right under disciplinary rules to seek court intervention before a formal hearing. Specifically, officers can apply to a circuit court for an order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right should not be granted. The bill specifies that countywide/local agency officers must file in their county’s circuit court, while statewide/bicounty agency officers file in Anne Arundel County circuit court. This process applies to disciplinary proceedings under Maryland’s Public Safety subtitle and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill enables officers to challenge disciplinary actions via court, potentially weakening oversight and accountability mechanisms in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 202: Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause

SB 202 creates a new legal process for Maryland police officers who believe they were denied a right during disciplinary proceedings. It allows officers to request a court order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right (such as the right to present evidence or appeal) should not be granted, before a disciplinary hearing occurs. Officers must apply to the circuit court in their county (for local agencies) or Anne Arundel County (for statewide agencies), and the bill takes effect October 1, 2026. This is a procedural change affecting how officers challenge disciplinary actions, not the substance of discipline itself.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill strengthens officer procedural rights in disciplinary cases, creating barriers to timely discipline and weakening oversight of law enforcement conduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 465: Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree

SB 465 modifies Maryland's evidence rules to allow certain out-of-court statements in second-degree assault cases when the defendant caused the witness's unavailability through wrongdoing. It permits statements made under oath, in writing with the declarant's signature, or recorded verbatim to be admitted if the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the defendant engaged in wrongdoing to make the witness unavailable. Before admitting such a statement, the court must hold a separate hearing outside the jury's presence to verify the defendant's wrongdoing. This bill directly affects defendants charged with second-degree assault and prosecutors seeking to use specific witness statements in trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows admission of out-of-court statements when defendant caused witness unavailability, reducing defendant's right to confront witnesses in court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime