Immigration

Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.

HB 675 requires county police departments operating correctional facilities in Maryland to enter into federal immigration enforcement agreements by January 1, 2027 (with a possible one-time waiver to July 1, 2027). Non-compliant agencies must detain individuals for up to 48 hours and transfer them to federal authorities if requested, beginning July 1, 2027. If such an agency releases an individual who is later detained by federal authorities within five years, the agency must cover associated housing and court costs. The bill directly affects county law enforcement agencies with jails, establishing specific deadlines and financial penalties for non-compliance with federal immigration cooperation requirements.

HB 725 requires Maryland correctional facilities to provide federal immigration authorities with at least 48 hours' notice before releasing an individual, if requested by those authorities, and to transfer the individual to federal custody. This applies specifically to individuals in state or local correctional facilities who are subject to federal immigration enforcement requests. The bill mandates that transfers occur without extending the individual’s custody beyond their scheduled release date. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

HB 708 requires all Maryland municipalities to mandate voter registration for local elections and prohibits non-U.S. citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. It repeals existing provisions that allowed some municipalities to skip registration requirements and adds new Section 4-108.6 to state law, explicitly stating that municipalities must require registration and that only U.S. citizens may register. The bill directly affects all Maryland cities and towns (municipalities) and non-citizen residents seeking to vote in local elections. It applies solely to municipal elections, not state or federal elections.