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 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.
HB 1340 establishes the Prison Education Delivery Reform Commission as an independent state body to improve education access for people in Maryland's criminal and juvenile justice systems. The commission, composed of 11 appointed members including state agency heads, legislators, and external experts, must develop a statewide education framework using data to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. Key tasks include researching best practices for education programs, evaluating current workforce training, forming an advisory group with justice reform organizations, and seeking technical assistance from national experts. This commission directly affects incarcerated individuals and justice system stakeholders by focusing on education as a strategy to improve outcomes. The bill creates a structured process for policy recommendations but does not change existing education programs.
HB 1363 requires individuals convicted of two or more "domestically related crimes" (defined as crimes against someone eligible for family law relief or with whom they had a sexual relationship within 12 months) to register as domestic violence offenders. Within 7 days of the second conviction, registrants must provide their full name, crime details, physical description, valid ID, and signature to a supervising authority (like a court or correctional facility). Registration lasts 2 years for one prior conviction or 5 years for two or more convictions, and the Department of Public Safety must make this information publicly available online. This bill directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders in Maryland, creating a formal registration system to track them.
SB 689 (Bri's Law) creates a task force to study postrelease services for people leaving prison in Maryland, focusing on programs designed to prevent re-arrest. The task force, composed of legislative members, corrections officials, and state's attorneys, must examine all release types and existing post-release requirements by July 2027. It will recommend improvements to these programs based on its findings. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2028, with no further legislative action required. This study directly affects individuals transitioning from incarceration back into communities.
HB 1294 updates Maryland law to define "child sexual abuse material" (replacing "child pornography") and explicitly includes images created using artificial intelligence software in this definition. The bill modifies legal provisions to prohibit possessing or viewing AI-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real children engaged in sexual conduct or abuse, while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings. It increases penalties for repeat offenses (up to 10 years in prison) and adds a defense for individuals who promptly destroy such material or report it to authorities. This change directly affects anyone creating, sharing, or accessing AI-generated images that mimic real minors in sexual contexts.
SB 679, the "Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act," allows certain individuals to request a reduction in their prison sentence. It applies to people convicted as adults for offenses committed when they were minors (before October 1, 2021) and imprisoned for at least 20 years, or those convicted between ages 18-24 (not life without parole, not sex offenders, and not convicted of specific violent crimes like murder of first responders or hate crimes) with 20+ years served. The bill requires a court hearing where the person must show they are not a public danger and that a reduced sentence serves justice, considering factors like their age at the offense, rehabilitation efforts, victim input, and family circumstances. The court must consider these factors before deciding whether to shorten the prison term.
HB 1031 establishes specific use-of-force standards for National Guard members operating in Maryland under federal authority (per 32 U.S.C. § 502). It requires National Guard members to use only necessary and proportional force to prevent imminent harm or achieve legitimate law enforcement objectives, while mandating de-escalation, intervention in excessive force incidents, medical aid for injured persons, and detailed documentation of all force encounters. Violating these standards and causing serious injury or death constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The law applies directly to National Guard personnel supporting state operations under federal orders, not to regular police officers.
HB 1347 (Bri’s Law) creates a 7-member task force to study Maryland’s post-incarceration support systems. The task force, including state legislators, corrections officials, and prosecutors, will examine all release types from prison and current programs designed to prevent reoffending. It must submit recommendations to the Governor and legislature by July 2027, after which the task force automatically expires on June 30, 2028. This bill does not change existing services but mandates a review of current postrelease requirements.
