Bill > HB638

This bill modifies Maryland's laws regarding juvenile sex offender registration and reporting requirements. It expands the conditions under which juveniles must register as sex offenders, specifically requiring registration for minors aged 13 or older who have been adjudicated delinquent for certain sexual offenses, if the State's Attorney or Department of Juvenile Services requests registration and a court determines the individual poses a significant risk of committing sexually violent offenses. The bill also changes the duration of registry requirements, mandating that juvenile registrants remain on the registry until they reach 21 years of age, even if the juvenile court's jurisdiction terminates earlier. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "reportable offenses" in educational contexts to include violations of specific criminal law sections, particularly adding § 3-307 of the Criminal Law Article to the list of reportable offenses. The juvenile sex offender registry will remain accessible only to law enforcement personnel and requires registrants to appear in person every three months to update their information and have a digital image taken. These changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and aim to enhance tracking and monitoring of juvenile sex offenders.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0638?ys=2025RS