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 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.
SB 661 modifies Maryland law to clarify when intercepted communications (like phone calls or texts) can be used as evidence in criminal court. It allows such evidence if: (1) at least one party was outside Maryland during the communication, (2) the interception wasn’t done by Maryland law enforcement, and (3) all parties were co-conspirators in a violent crime. For other cases, it sets strict conditions for admissibility, including requiring prosecutors to notify defendants 14 days in advance and proving the evidence is more relevant than alternatives. The bill directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and law enforcement handling wiretap evidence in Maryland courts. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1266 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits (physical evidence gathered from victims' bodies/clothing after an assault) to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt. It clarifies that kits must include all requested reference standards within this timeframe and specifies exceptions where submission isn’t required (e.g., if evidence disproves the assault, the victim declines consent, or the suspect’s DNA is already in CODIS). The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases and ensures timely forensic analysis for victims. It amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure law (Section 11-926) and takes effect October 1, 2026.
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.
HB 1044 prohibits the release of defendants after conviction but before sentencing or final appeals for specific crimes resulting in the death of a child under 14. It applies directly to individuals convicted of either a violent crime (as defined in Maryland’s Criminal Law §14-101) or a violation of child neglect law (§3-602.1) that caused the death of a victim under age 14. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure Article to bar courts from granting pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release in these cases. The law would take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1406 amends Maryland's self-defense law to allow defendants charged with murder, manslaughter, or specific crimes under Title 3 to claim self-defense without proving the danger was imminent. It directly affects individuals facing these charges who can now assert self-defense if the victim previously committed an assault (any degree) or sexually assaultive behavior against them. The key change removes the requirement that defendants prove they believed danger was immediate, based solely on the victim's prior acts. This applies only to cases where the victim's prior conduct matches the specified offenses in the bill. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 717 requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt, including all requested reference standards. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases in Maryland. The bill modifies existing law to clarify the 30-day deadline and specifies that kits must include all required reference standards for analysis. It does not change exceptions for non-submission (e.g., when evidence disproves assault or the victim declines consent), which remain unchanged under section (e). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
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.
HB 360 (Clean Slate Act of 2026) automates the removal of certain criminal records from public view. It requires Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and the Judiciary to expunge eligible cases by July 1, 2028, and then monthly thereafter, for people with qualifying outcomes (like dismissed charges or certain misdemeanors) that meet waiting periods (3 years for most cases, 7 years for others). The law excludes cases involving domestic violence, second-degree assault, or new convictions during the waiting period. It directly affects individuals with eligible records who no longer need to petition courts for expungement.
