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Criminal Justice and the 2023 Session

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As part of a larger effort to address issues of racial justice, we are supporting measures for Criminal Justice Reform and Police Accountability. As bills are introduced, we will provide bill numbers and links to the actual bill text.

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Measures Expected in 2023:

With Executive Branch leadership that appears favorable to significant criminal justice measures, UULM-MD and other advocates are proposing several bills, including:

  • HB 64 / SB 87 - Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman- Continuing support for creating an Ombudsman for correctional services (a proposal by  Marylanders for Justice Reform). 

  • HB 523 / SB 759 - Correctional Services - Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act) - A bill to require the Division of Correction to allow an incarcerated pregnant woman or one who recently gave birth to transfer to the prerelease unit for women to facilitate strong bonds between incarcerated women and their children.

  • SB 459 / HB 385 - Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Limitations (Maryland Mandela Act) - Requiring hearing officers and personnel involved with the supervision and care of individuals placed in restrictive housing to undergo certain training; establishing guidelines and procedures for the placement of incarcerated individuals in certain types of restrictive housing or disciplinary segregation; and requiring each correctional facility to create a monthly report containing certain information about individuals placed in restrictive housing and to publish the report on the facility's website.

  • HB 96 / SB 93 - Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction (Youth Equity & Safety Act) -  A follow-up measure for last year's Juvenile Justice Reform law to clarify which children could be referred to adult processes upon arrest and which would remain in the juvenile system. 

  • HB 156 / SB 98 - Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole - A bill to require the Maryland Parole Commission to consider the age of an inmate when determining whether to grant parole, and to alter how the Commission evaluates a request for medical parole.

  • SB 27 - Criminal Procedure - Restorative Justice Program - Establishing the Restorative Justice Program within the Victim Services Unit of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. Establish the position of Restorative Justice Legal Specialist, the Restorative Justice Program Revolving Fund, and the Maryland Restorative Justice Council.

   

For more information, please contact Criminal Justice Reform Issue Team Lead Candy Clark at CriminalJustice@uulmmd.org​.

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Subject
Bill Number
XFile Bill Number
Sponsor
Title
Status
Current Location
Priority
Position
Action
Synopsis
Prevention of Forced Infant Separation
HB0523
SB0759
Delegate Mireku-North
Correctional Services - Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
o
Support
Requiring the Division of Correction to allow a certain pregnant woman and a certain woman who recently gave birth to transfer to the prerelease unit for women for a certain time period; establishing the Healthy Start Bonding Program to facilitate strong bonds between incarcerated women and their children; and requiring the Division to allow liberal visitation between certain individuals and certain children under certain circumstances.
Prevention of Forced Infant Separation
SB0759
HB0523
Senator Carter
Correctional Services - Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
o
Support
Requiring the Division of Correction to allow a certain pregnant woman and a certain woman who recently gave birth to transfer to the prerelease unit for women for a certain time period; establishing the Healthy Start Bonding Program to facilitate strong bonds between incarcerated women and their children; and requiring the Division to allow liberal visitation between certain individuals and certain children under certain circumstances.
Restorative justice
SB0027
Senator West
Criminal Procedure - Restorative Justice Program
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
o
Support
Establishing the Restorative Justice Program within the Victim Services Unit of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services to address and ameliorate the harmful effects of offenses on a victim in a certain manner; and establishing the position of Restorative Justice Legal Specialist, the Restorative Justice Program Revolving Fund, and the Maryland Restorative Justice Council.
Correctional Ombudsman
HB0064
SB0087
Delegate Davis
Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
X
Support
Establishing the Correctional Ombudsman in the Office of the Attorney General; requiring the Ombudsman to conduct investigations, reviews, and assessments of administrative acts taken by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or in relation to individuals confined by the Department; requiring the Ombudsman to refer matters for criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings when appropriate; establishing the Correctional Ombudsman Advisory Board; etc.
Correctional Ombudsman
SB0087
HB0064
Senator Hettleman
Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman Unit
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules and Executive Nominations
X
Support
Establishing the Correctional Ombudsman Unit in the Office of the Attorney General; requiring the Unit to conduct investigations, reviews, and assessments of administrative acts taken by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or in relation to individuals confined by the Department; requiring the Unit to refer certain matters for criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings as appropriate; establishing the Correctional Ombudsman Advisory Board to assist the Unit in identifying certain matters to investigate; etc.
Education in Prisons
HB0416
Delegate Amprey
Resources and Education for All Prisons (REAP) Act
No Conference Committee Report
Conference Committee
X
Support
Requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to assist inmates in accessing federal Pell grants for higher education; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to set goals for the number of inmates in education programs and establish tracking systems relating to the number of inmates and their progress in education programs; and requiring the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Department of Human Services to assist the Maryland Department of Labor in establishing certain tracking systems.
Geriatric & medical parole
HB0157
SB0098
Delegate Moon
Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
X
Support
Requiring the Maryland Parole Commission to consider the age of an inmate when determining whether to grant parole; altering how the Commission evaluates a request for medical parole; requiring the Commission to develop procedures for assessing parole requests by certain inmates; and requiring the Commission to report certain information relating to outcomes of parole considerations under the process to the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board.
Geriatric & medical parole
SB0098
HB0157
Senator Hettleman
Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
X
Support
Requiring the Maryland Parole Commission to consider the age of an inmate when determining whether to grant parole; altering how the Commission evaluates a request for medical parole; and requiring the Commission to develop procedures for assessing parole requests by certain inmates.
Juvenile justice jurisdiction
HB0096
SB0093
Delegate Crutchfield
Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction (Youth Equity & Safety Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
X
Support
Altering the jurisdiction of the juvenile court by repealing provisions specifying that the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a child alleged to have committed certain acts.
Juvenile justice jurisdiction
SB0093
HB0096
Senator Carter
Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
X
Support
Altering the jurisdiction of the juvenile court by repealing provisions specifying that the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a child alleged to have committed certain acts.
Restrictive Housing-limitations
HB0385
SB0459
Delegate Bartlett
Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Limitations (Maryland Mandela Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
X
Support
Requiring hearing officers and personnel involved with the supervision and care of individuals placed in restrictive housing to undergo at least 40 hours of training; establishing guidelines and procedures for the placement of incarcerated individuals in certain types of restrictive housing or disciplinary segregation; and requiring each correctional facility to create a monthly report containing certain information about individuals placed in restrictive housing and to publish the report on the facility's website.
Restrictive Housing-limitations
SB0459
HB0385
Senator Washington, M.
Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Limitations (Maryland Mandela Act)
To Interim Study
X
Support
Requiring hearing officers and personnel involved with the supervision and care of individuals placed in restrictive housing to undergo certain training; establishing guidelines and procedures for the placement of incarcerated individuals in certain types of restrictive housing or disciplinary segregation; and requiring each correctional facility to create a monthly report containing certain information about individuals placed in restrictive housing and to publish the report on the facility's website.
Cannabis offenses-civil penalties
SB0073
HB0280
Senator Carter
Criminal Law - Cannabis-Related Offenses - Civil Penalties
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Substituting civil penalties in place of criminal penalties for certain offenses relating to possessing, possessing with the intent to distribute, and cultivating cannabis and manufacturing cannabis products.
Cannabis possession-expungement
SB0088
Senator Waldstreicher
Criminal Procedure - Automatic Expungement - Pardoned Conviction of Possession of Cannabis (Pardons for Simple Possession of Cannabis Act of 2023)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Requiring that certain records relating to a certain conviction of possession of cannabis that has been fully and unconditionally pardoned by the Governor be automatically expunged; and establishing a procedure for the automatic expungement of pardoned possession of cannabis convictions.
Police accountability Boards
SB0285
Senator Carter
County Police Accountability Boards - Investigation of Complaints of Police Misconduct
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Authorizing the local governing body of a county, including Baltimore City, to authorize its police accountability board to exercise investigatory and subpoena powers; and authorizing a police accountability board to conduct an investigation of police misconduct concurrently with a law enforcement agency investigating the complaint.
Cannabis offenses-civil penalties
HB0280
SB0073
Delegate Davis
Criminal Law - Cannabis-Related Offenses - Civil Penalties
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Support
Substituting civil penalties in place of criminal penalties for certain offenses relating to possessing, possessing with the intent to distribute, and cultivating cannabis and manufacturing cannabis products.
Felony Murder-Limit for Youth
HB1180
SB0652
Delegate Crutchfield
Criminal Law - Youth Accountability and Safety Act
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Support
Providing that a person who was under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense may not be found to have committed murder in the first degree if the charge is based on a murder committed in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a certain felony.
Felony Murder-Limit for Youth
SB0652
HB1180
Senator Carter
Criminal Law - Felony Murder - Limitation for Youth (Youth Accountability and Safety Act)
Withdrawn
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Providing that a person who was under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense may not be found to have committed murder in the first degree if the charge is based on a murder committed in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a certain felony.
Felony Murder-Limit for Youth
SB0850
Senator Carter
Criminal Law - Youth (Youth Accountability and Safety Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Providing that a person who was under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense may not be found to have committed murder in the first degree under certain provisions of law.
Police accountability/liability
HB0430
Delegate Wilkins
Public Safety - Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission - Notification of Action Filed Against Police Officer
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules
Support
Requiring a court to notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission of the filing of a civil action against a police officer involving allegations that the police officer wrongfully caused the death of or serious bodily injury to an individual; and requiring the court to make the required notification within 10 days after the filing of the civil action.
Police officer civil liability
HB0115
Delegate Acevero
Civil Rights - Violation of Rights - Government Liability
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Support
Establishing the civil liability of a police officer who deprives or allows another to deprive an individual of certain rights under the Maryland Declaration of Rights and the Maryland Constitution; requiring that the employer of a police officer indemnify the law enforcement officer against a judgment or settlement entered against the officer under the Act subject to certain exceptions; requiring that a civil action under the Act be filed within 2 years after the cause of action accrues; etc.
Transgender in prison
HB0426
SB0761
Delegate Lopez
Correctional Facilities - Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Inmates (Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Support
Requiring the Commissioner of Correction to report certain information regarding the gender identities of inmates and the housing status of transgender, nonbinary, or intersex inmates; prohibiting an employee of a correctional facility from discriminating against inmates on the basis of certain protected classes; requiring the managing official of a correctional facility to develop a written nondiscrimination policy regarding inmates; etc.
Transgender in prison
SB0761
HB0426
Senator Carter
Correctional Facilities - Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Inmates (Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Requiring the Commissioner of Correction to report certain information regarding the gender identities of inmates and the housing status of transgender, nonbinary, or intersex inmates; prohibiting an employee of a correctional facility from discriminating against inmates on the basis of certain protected classes; requiring the managing official of a correctional facility to develop a written nondiscrimination policy regarding inmates; etc.
AG prosecution from investigations
HB0857
SB0290
Delegate Clippinger
Office of the Attorney General - Independent Investigations Division - Authority to Prosecute
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Expanding the investigative jurisdiction of the Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General to include a police-involved incident resulting in injury to an individual that is not otherwise within the jurisdiction of the Division; repealing a requirement that the Division submit a certain report to a certain State's Attorney at a certain time; and authorizing the Attorney General to prosecute certain criminal matters under certain circumstances.
AG prosecution from investigations
SB0290
HB0857
Senator Smith
Office of the Attorney General - Independent Investigations Division - Authority to Prosecute
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 632
Governor
Expanding the investigative jurisdiction of the Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General to include a police-involved incident resulting in serious bodily injury to an individual that is not otherwise within the jurisdiction of the Division; requiring the Division to submit an annual report on its activities in the prior calendar year to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 31; authorizing the Attorney General to prosecute certain criminal matters under certain circumstances; etc.
Anti-swatting complaints
HB0745
SB0340
Delegate Hill
Criminal Law - False Statements - Emergency or Commission of Crime (Antiswatting Act of 2023)
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 698
Governor
Prohibiting a person from making or causing to be made a false statement, report, or complaint to a governmental emergency report recipient with reckless disregard of causing bodily harm to an individual as a direct result of a response to the statement, report, or complaint; and providing that a person who violates the Act, in addition to any penalties imposed, is civilly liable to an individual harmed by the violation.
Anti-swatting complaints
SB0340
HB0745
Senator Kagan
Criminal Law - False Statements - Emergency or Commission of Crime (Antiswatting Act of 2023)
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 699
Governor
Prohibiting a person from making or causing to be made a false statement, report, or complaint to a governmental emergency report recipient with reckless disregard of causing bodily harm to an individual as a direct result of a response to the statement, report, or complaint; and providing that a person who violates the Act, in addition to any penalties imposed, is civilly liable to an individual harmed by the violation.
Automatic Expungement
HB0189
SB0173
Delegate Moon
Automatic Expungement - Clarification
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 684
Governor
Clarifying the language of provisions of law requiring the expungement of certain records maintained by the State or a political subdivision of the State relating to the charging of certain offenses under certain circumstances and notification of a certain right to expungement.
Automatic Expungement
SB0173
HB0189
Senator Waldstreicher
Automatic Expungement - Clarification
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 685
Governor
Clarifying the language of provisions of law requiring the expungement of certain records maintained by the State or a political subdivision of the State relating to the charging of certain offenses under certain circumstances and notification of a certain right to expungement.
Baltimore City Police Commissioner
HB0853
SB0758
Baltimore City Delegation
Baltimore City - Control Over Powers of Police Commissioner
No action by Senate committee
Judicial Proceedings
Repealing a prohibition on certain Baltimore City ordinances or acts of certain municipal officials from conflicting, impeding, obstructing, hindering, or interfering with the powers of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner.
Baltimore City Police Commissioner
SB0758
HB0853
Senator Carter
Baltimore City - Control Over Powers of Police Commissioner
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Repealing a prohibition on certain Baltimore City ordinances or acts of certain municipal officials from conflicting, impeding, obstructing, hindering, or interfering with the powers of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner.
Body-worn camera financing/storage
HB0332
SB0330
Delegate Lewis, J.
Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Body-Worn Cameras (Body-Worn Camera Appropriation and Financing Act of 2023)
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules
Requiring the Department of General Services, in coordination with the Department of Information Technology, to negotiate certain contracts with third parties for the acquisition or maintenance of body-worn cameras, equipment, or technology for certain law enforcement agencies; and requiring the Department of Information Technology, in coordination with the Department of General Services, to study the cost and feasibility of implementing a statewide uniform storage and access system for law enforcement body-worn camera data.
Body-worn camera financing/storage
SB0330
HB0332
Senator Ready
Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Body-Worn Cameras (Body-Worn Camera Appropriation and Financing Act of 2023)
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 743
Governor
Requiring the Department of General Services, in coordination with the Department of Information Technology, to negotiate certain contracts with third parties for the acquisition or maintenance of body-worn cameras, equipment, or technology for certain law enforcement agencies; requiring the Department of Information Technology, in coordination with the Department of General Services, to study the cost and feasibility of implementing a statewide uniform storage and access system for law enforcement body-worn camera data; etc.
Cannabis reform
HB0556
SB0516
Delegate Wilson
Cannabis Reform
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 254
Governor
Renaming the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to be the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission; establishing the Maryland Cannabis Administration as an independent unit of State government; establishing a regulatory and licensing system for adult-use cannabis; imposing a sales and use tax of 9% on the sale of cannabis; requiring the Administration, by July 1, 2023, to convert medical cannabis licenses to licenses to operate a medical and adult-use cannabis business; etc.
Cannabis reform
SB0516
HB0556
Senator Feldman
Cannabis Reform
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 255
Governor
Renaming the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to be the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission; establishing the Maryland Cannabis Administration as an independent unit of State government; establishing a regulatory and licensing system for adult-use cannabis; imposing the sales and use tax on the sale of adult-use cannabis at 9%; requiring the Administration, on or before July 1 2023, to convert medical cannabis licenses to licenses to operate a medical and adult-use cannabis business; etc.
Collateral consequences study
HB0544
SB0123
Delegate Mireku-North
Department of Planning - Collateral Consequences for Individuals With Criminal Records - Study
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring the Maryland Department of Planning, in coordination with the Maryland State Data Center, to study, report on, and make recommendations relating to certain collateral consequences for individuals with criminal records; and requiring the Department to report certain information to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2023.
Collateral consequences study
SB0123
HB0544
Senator Ellis
Department of Planning - Collateral Consequences for Individuals With Criminal Records - Study
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring the Maryland Department of Planning, in coordination with the Maryland State Data Center, to study, report on, and make recommendations relating to certain collateral consequences for individuals with criminal records; and requiring the Department to report certain information to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2023.
Correctional health & wellness
HB0059
SB0942
Delegate Hill
Health and Wellness Standards - Correctional Facilities
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Health and Government Operations
Requiring the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, with the advice of the Secretary of Health, to update certain minimum mandatory standards for inmate food services to reflect certain practices and guidelines; establishing the Correctional Facilities Health and Wellness Pilot Program to establish minimum mandatory standards for inmate food services in facilities participating in the Program; and requiring the Secretary of Health to adopt health and wellness standards for certain facilities.
Correctional health & wellness
SB0942
HB0059
Senator Benson
Health and Wellness Standards - Correctional Facilities
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, with the advice of the Secretary of Health, to update certain minimum mandatory standards for inmate food services to reflect certain practices and guidelines; establishing the Correctional Facilities Health and Wellness Pilot Program to establish minimum mandatory standards for inmate food services in facilities participating in the Program; and requiring the Secretary of Health to adopt health and wellness standards for certain facilities.
Corrections - Intake and Release
HB0877
Delegate Feldmark
Correctional Services - Incarcerated Individuals - Intake and Release (Reentry Success Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring the Division of Correction to provide screening for and access to certain mediation for an incarcerated individual; requiring the Division to work with an incarcerated individual to ensure access to medication, social service programs, and public transportation at the time of the incarcerated individual's release; and requiring a State transit system or transit system partially funded by the State to provide the Division with transit passes for use by released incarcerated individuals at no cost to the Division.
Court ordered fines and fees
HB0154
SB0924
Delegate Wells
Workgroup to Study the Impact of Court-Mandated Fines and Fees
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing the Workgroup to Study the Impact of Court-Mandated Fines and Fees, particularly as it relates to low-income residents; requiring the Workgroup to develop a plan and legislative recommendations for eliminating or reducing court-mandated fines and fees, and a comprehensive database and schedule of court-mandated fines and fees; and requiring the Workgroup to report its plan and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 31, 2023.
Court ordered fines and fees
SB0924
HB0154
Senator Washington, A.
Workgroup to Study the Impact of Court-Mandated Fines and Fees
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules
Establishing the Workgroup to Study the Impact of Court-Mandated Fines and Fees, particularly as it relates to low-income residents; requiring the Workgroup to develop a plan and legislative recommendations for eliminating or reducing court-mandated fines and fees, and a comprehensive database and schedule of court-mandated fines and fees; and requiring the Workgroup to report its plan and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 31, 2023.
Expungement for good cause
HB0664
SB0017
Delegate Williams
Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Good Cause
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Authorizing a court to grant a petition for expungement of records relating to a certain conviction at any time on a showing of good cause.
Expungement for good cause
SB0017
HB0664
Senator Carter
Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Good Cause
Hearing canceled
Judicial Proceedings
Authorizing a court to grant a petition for expungement of records relating to a certain conviction at any time on a showing of good cause.
Expungement of convictions
HB0660
SB0505
Delegate Alston
Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Convictions
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Authorizing a person to file a petition for expungement of a conviction of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions.
Expungement of convictions
SB0505
HB0660
Senator Muse
Criminal Procedure - Expungement and Shielding - Probation Before Judgment for Driving While Impaired or Under the Influence
Amended in House; not reconciled
House Floor
Authorizing a person to file a petition listing relevant facts for expungement of certain records relating to a probation before judgment for driving while impaired or driving while under the influence; authorizing a certain person to petition a court to shield certain records relating to a probation before judgment for driving while impaired or driving while under the influence; etc.
Expungement-mistaken identity
SB0066
Senator Jackson
Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Mistaken Identity
Withdrawn
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring a State's Attorney to give notice to the court when seeking to dismiss a charge based on mistaken identity; requiring the automatic expungement of records relating to charges that are dismissed or of which a person is acquitted as a result of mistaken identity; and requiring a custodian of records to advise, within 60 days after the entry of a certain order, the court and the person charged of compliance with an order entered under the Act.
Expungement-waiting periods
HB0097
SB0037
Delegate Bartlett
Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records (REDEEM Act of 2023)
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules
Providing that any unpaid court fees or costs are not a bar to a certain expungement; requiring a court to waive any court fees and costs associated with the charge being expunged when ordering or effecting a certain expungement; adding malicious destruction of property to the list of misdemeanor convictions that may be expunged; and altering the waiting periods applicable to the filing of petitions for expungement of convictions of certain crimes.
Expungement-waiting periods
SB0037
HB0097
Senator Waldstreicher
Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records (REDEEM Act of 2023)
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 683
Governor
Providing that any unpaid court fees or costs are not a bar to a certain expungement; requiring a court to waive certain court fees and costs when ordering or effecting a certain expungement; adding malicious destruction of property to the list of misdemeanor convictions that may be expunged; and altering the waiting periods applicable to the filing of petitions for expungement of convictions of certain crimes.
Frederick City offender road work
HB0640
Delegate Simpson
City of Frederick - Assignment of Offenders to Road Work - Repeal
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Repealing a provision of law requring a District Court judge to assign, if practicable, an offender to work the public roads of Frederick County or the City of Frederick as a penalty for a violation of a municipal law or ordinance of the City of Frederick.
Fredetrick jail use of polygraphs
HB0439
Frederick County Delegation
Frederick County - Adult Detention Center - Polygraph Examinations of Employees
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Exempting individuals who apply for employment or are employed in any capacity that involves direct personal contact with an inmate in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center from the prohibition on employers requiring an employee or a prospective employee to take a polygraph examination or similar test as a condition of prospective or continued employment.
Handgun Theft
SB0564
Senator Ready
Criminal Law - Theft of a Handgun
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Establishing the felony of theft of a handgun; and establishing a penalty for theft of a handgun of, for a first conviction, 2 to 5 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000 or both and, for a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment for 5 to 10 years or a fine of up to $2,500 or both.
Housing discrimination-reentry status
HB0577
Delegate Fennell
Human Relations - Discrimination in Housing - Reentry-Into-Society Status
Withdrawn
Environment and Transportation
Establishing reentry-into-society status as a protected class for purposes of State fair housing laws and prohibiting discriminatory practices in residential real estate transactions and the sale or rental of a dwelling because of a person's reentry-into-society status; and defining 'reentry-into-society status' as the state of having completed a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment.
Incarcerated Individuals
SB0293
Senator Sydnor
Corrections - Incarcerated Individuals
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 721
Governor
Altering the term 'inmate' to be 'incarcerated individual' meaning an individual who is actually or constructively detained or confined in a correctional facility.
Inmate release to home county
SB0427
Senator Corderman
Correctional Services - Inmate Release
Unfavorable
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring the Division of Correction to transport a certain inmate from a certain correctional facility to the county of the inmate's address recorded at the time the inmate entered the correctional facility after the inmate is released from a State correctional facility; and requiring the Division of Parole and Probation to supervise any required probation, parole, or mandatory supervision of a certain inmate in a certain county after the inmate is released from a State correctional facility.
Inspection of body cam records
SB0040
Senator Sydnor
Public Information Act - Inspection of Records From Body-Worn Digital Recording Devices
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing certain requirements for a custodian of records related to certain recordings from a certain body-worn digital recording device worn by a law enforcement officer; and requiring the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, in consultation with certain other entities and stakeholders, to develop certain uniform standards and policies.
Juvenile Court Jurisdiction - Age of Child
HB0698
Delegate Szeliga
Juvenile Law - Juvenile Court Jurisdiction - Age of Child
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Altering the age, from 13 years old to 11 years old, at which a certain child is subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
Juvenile felony database
HB0358
Delegate Attar
Department of Juvenile Services - Juvenile Felony Database
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring the Department of Juvenile Services, in coordination with the Administrative Office of the Courts, to develop, maintain, regularly update, and publish on its website a searchable database of all offenses committed by juveniles that would be felonies if committed by adults; and prohibiting the database from containing certain identifying information.
Juvenile interrogations
HB0076
Delegate Acevero
Custodial Interrogation of Minors - Admissibility of Statements
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing a certain rebuttable presumption that a statement made by a minor during a custodial interrogation is involuntary and is inadmissible in a juvenile or criminal proceeding against the minor under certain circumstances.
Juveniles - homicide
SB0015
Senator Carter
Juvenile Law - Child in Need of Supervision - Mandatory Petition and Notice (NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring an intake officer to file a petition alleging that a child under the age of 13 years is either delinquent or a child in need of supervision if the child is alleged to have committed an act that results in the death of a victim; and requiring a law enforcement officer to forward a complaint alleging that a child under the age of 13 years committed an act that resulted in the death of a victim to the Department of Juvenile Services.
Keeping families connected
SB0257
Senator Waldstreicher
Task Force to Assess the Viability for No-Charge Phone Calls for State Incarcerated Individuals (Keeping Families Connected Act of 2023)
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing the Task Force to Assess the Viability for No-Charge Phone Calls for State Incarcerated Individuals; requiring the Task Force to analyze data related to no-charge prison phone call programs in other states, evaluate the projected program cost to the State, and evaluate and make recommendations to allow for no-charge phone calls by individuals confined in State correctional facilities while minimizing financial cost to the State; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2023.
Labor, Job Training, and Education
HB1057
SB0941
Delegate Hill
Correctional Services - Inmates - Labor, Job Training, and Educational Courses
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing a minimum hourly compensation rate for inmate labor in Maryland Correctional Enterprises of $5; requiring the Division of Correction to offer job training and educational courses to certain inmates; requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to report annually on or before March 1 on the job training and educational courses offered by the Division; and requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to evaluate the job training and educational courses offered by the Division on an ongoing basis.
Labor, Job Training, and Education
SB0941
HB1057
Senator Benson
Correctional Services - Inmates - Labor, Job Training, and Educational Courses
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring the compensation rate for inmate labor in Maryland Correctional Enterprises to be not less than the federal minimum wage; requiring the Division of Correction to offer to inmates job training, focused on marketable skills, and educational courses; and requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to evaluate the job training and educational courses offered by the Division and by December 31 every 3 years, beginning in 2024, report to the Governor and the General Assembly.
MPTSC members-white supremacy
HB0088
Delegate Acevero
Public Safety - Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission - Prohibition Against Certain Affiliation or Support by Police Officers
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to prohibit police officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for White supremacist groups, ideologies, or causes or participating in or actively promoting a certain extremist group.
Medical Parole
HB0047
SB0033
Delegate Bartlett
Correctional Services - Medical Parole - Life Imprisonment
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Repealing provisions relating to gubernatorial approval of a decision of the Maryland Parole Commission to grant medical parole to an inmate serving a sentence of life imprisonment.
Medical Parole
SB0033
HB0047
Senator Carter
Correctional Services - Parole - Life Imprisonment
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Repealing provisions relating to gubernatorial approval of a decision of the Maryland Parole Commission to grant parole to an inmate serving a sentence of life imprisonment.
Minors convicted as adults
HB0170
Delegate Simpson
Minors Convicted as Adults - Sentencing - Transfer to Juvenile Court
Withdrawn
Judiciary
Requiring a court to consider certain factors before sentencing a minor convicted as an adult and to state on the record its consideration of the factors at the time of sentencing; establishing a presumption that the sentencing of a minor convicted as an adult should be transferred to the juvenile court, under certain circumstances, and authorizing the court to do so; and requiring the juvenile court to make a juvenile determination under certain circumstances.
Murder - Diminution Credits
SB0569
Senator Folden
Correctional Services - Murder - Diminution Credits
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Prohibiting the earning of diminution credits to reduce the term of confinement of an inmate who is serving a sentence for murder in the first degree or murder in the second degree in a State or local correctional facility.
No-knock warrants - repeal
HB0038
Delegate Acevero
No-Knock Warrants
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Repealing the authority for the issuance and execution of a no-knock search warrant; and establishing procedures for the issuance and execution of a search warrant.
Personnel Records - Police Officers
SB0747
Senator Folden
Public Information Act - Personnel Records - Police Officers
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Providing that records relating to investigations of police officers for misconduct are personnel records under the Public Information Act, except for records relating to allegations of excessive force or racial bias.
Police Accountability Boards
HB0518
SB0409
Delegate Lopez
Police Accountability Boards and Administrative Charging Committees - Municipal Corporations
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Authorizing a municipal corporation in the State to have a police accountability board to receive complaints of police misconduct from the public; requiring the board to submit an annual report to the governing body of the municipal corporation identifying trends in the disciplinary process of police officers and recommending changes to improve police accountability; and authorizing a municipal corporation to establish an administrative charging committee to serve law enforcement agencies in the municipal corporation.
Police Accountability Boards
SB0409
HB0518
Senator Watson
Police Accountability Boards and Administrative Charging Committees - Municipal Corporations
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Authorizing a municipal corporation in the State to have a police accountability board to receive complaints of police misconduct from the public; requiring the board to submit an annual report to the governing body of the municipal corporation identifying trends in the disciplinary process of police officers and recommending changes to improve police accountability; and authorizing a municipal corporation to establish an administrative charging committee to serve law enforcement agencies in the municipal corporation.
Police Accountability-time to file
HB0582
SB0571
Delegate Cardin
Public Safety - Police Accountability - Time Limit for Filing Administrative Charges
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring a law enforcement agency to file any administrative charges arising out of an investigation of alleged police officer misconduct that is not required to be reviewed by an administrative charging committee within 1 year and 1 day from the date of the incident that led to the investigation.
Police Accountability-time to file
SB0571
HB0582
Senator Folden
Public Safety - Police Accountability - Time Limit for Filing Administrative Charges
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring a law enforcement agency to file any administrative charges arising out of an investigation of alleged police officer misconduct that is not required to be reviewed by an administrative charging committee within 1 year and 1 day from the date of the incident that led to the investigation.
Police compensation study
SB0105
Senator Jackson
Law Enforcement Officers - Compensation and Benefits - Study
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Budget and Taxation
Requiring the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services to study and report on the compensation and benefits of law enforcement officers in the State; requiring certain units of State government to provide assistance to the Office by providing information necessary to conduct the study; and requiring the Office to submit its report to certain committees of the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2023.
Police retention workgroup
HB0308
SB0018
Delegate Tomlinson
Police Retention Workgroup
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Appropriations
Establishing the Police Retention Workgroup to study issues and factors potentially contributing to the decline in police officer retention statewide; and requiring the Workgroup to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 30, 2024.
Police retention workgroup
SB0018
HB0308
Senator West
Police Recruitment and Retention Workgroup
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Appropriations
Establishing the Police Recruitment and Retention Workgroup to study issues and factors potentially contributing to recruitment challenges and the decline in police officer retention statewide; and requiring the Workgroup to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 30, 2024.
Postconviction Work Readiness
HB1022
Delegate Young
Labor and Employment - Postconviction Work Readiness Program
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing the Postconviction Work Readiness Program to provide dedicated services for individuals who have been convicted of a felony with obtaining and retaining employment; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to establish the Program in at least four counties in the State; requiring the Governor to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $4,000,000 for the Program; and requiring the Department to submit a report to the General Assembly by October 1, 2025, that evaluates the Postconviction Work Readiness Program.
Pregnant inmates-drug assessment/Tx
HB0044
SB0190
Delegate Lopez
Correctional Services - Pregnant Incarcerated Individuals - Substance Use Disorder Assessment and Treatment
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be screened for substance use disorder at intake, regardless of the jurisdiction or the length of the individual's sentence, be referred to health care providers, and be provided with certain medications and treatment; requiring a correctional unit to arrange for health insurance coverage and follow-up health care before release of a pregnant incarcerated individual; and requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be provided with medical records on release.
Pregnant inmates-drug assessment/Tx
SB0107
Senator Lee
Correctional Services - Pregnant Incarcerated Individuals - Substance Use Disorder Assessment and Treatment
Withdrawn
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be screened for substance use disorder at intake regardless of the jurisdiction or the length of the individual's sentence, be referred to health care providers, and be provided with certain medications and treatment; requiring a correctional unit to arrange for health insurance coverage and follow-up health care before release of a pregnant incarcerated individual; and requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be provided with medical records on release.
Pregnant inmates-drug assessment/Tx
SB0190
HB0044
Senator West
Correctional Services - Pregnant Incarcerated Individuals - Substance Use Disorder Assessment and Treatment
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be screened for substance use disorder at intake regardless of the jurisdiction or the length of the individual's sentence, be referred to health care providers, and be provided with certain medications and treatment; requiring a correctional unit to arrange for health insurance coverage and follow-up health care before release of a pregnant incarcerated individual; and requiring that a pregnant incarcerated individual be provided with medical records on release.
Provisional police certification
SB0110
Senator Jackson
Public Safety - Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission
Unfavorable
Judicial Proceedings
Altering the membership and duties of the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission; providing that a law enforcement agency may employ an individual as a police officer for a period exceeding 1 year only if the individual is certified by the Commission or for a period not to exceed 1 year if the individual is provisionally certified by the Commission; and altering provisions of law relating to the certification and recertification of police officers.
Reentry employment fund-PG
HB0464
SB0156
Delegate Lewis, J.
Prince George's County - Prince George's County Reentry Employment Incentive Program - Funding
Not assigned to standing committee
Rules
Requiring the Governor, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028, to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $500,000 to the Prince George's County Office of the County Executive to be used for the Prince George's County Reentry Employment Incentive Program; and requiring that funds made available by the Act are supplemental to, and may not supplant, funds otherwise available for the reentry employment incentives in Prince George's County.
Reentry employment fund-PG
SB0156
HB0464
Prince George's County Senators
Prince George's County - Prince George's County Reentry Employment Incentive Program - Funding
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 791
Governor
Requiring the Governor, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028, to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $500,000 to the Prince George's County Office of the County Executive to be used for the Prince George's County Reentry Employment Incentive Program; and requiring that funds made available by the Act are supplemental to, and may not supplant, funds otherwise available for the reentry employment incentives in Prince George's County.
Reentry study
HB0661
SB0499
Delegate Lewis, J.
Workgroup to Study Reentry
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judiciary
Establishing the Workgroup to Study Reentry; requiring the Workgroup to examine the current role of State and local agencies in the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals after completing their terms of confinement in State and local correctional facilities; and requiring the Workgroup to report its findings and recommendations regarding policy changes for improvement of reentry to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2024.
Reentry study
SB0499
HB0661
Senator West
Workgroup to Study Reentry
Hearing Held, no action by committee
Judicial Proceedings
Establishing the Workgroup to Study Reentry; requiring the Workgroup to examine the current role of State and local agencies in the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals after completing their terms of confinement in State and local correctional facilities; and requiring the Workgroup to report its findings and recommendations regarding policy changes for improvement of reentry to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2024.
Restrictive Housing-limitations
SB0045
Senator Lee
Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Limitations (Maryland Mandela Act)
Withdrawn
Judicial Proceedings
Requiring hearing officers and personnel involved with the supervision and care of individuals placed in restrictive housing to undergo certain training; establishing guidelines and procedures for the placement of incarcerated individuals in certain types of restrictive housing or disciplinary segregation; and requiring each correctional facility to create a monthly report containing certain information about individuals placed in restrictive housing and to publish the report on the facility's website.
Violence Intervention and Prevention
SB0598
Senator Carter
Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund - Appropriation
Withdrawn
Budget and Taxation
Increasing, from at least $3,000,000 to at least $40,000,000, the annual appropriation that the Governor is required to include in the budget bill for the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program fund.
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