Bill > HB786

This bill expands the ability of the Appellate Court of Maryland (the state's highest court) to hold judicial sessions outside of its traditional Annapolis location. Currently, the court can hold sessions at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus and the University of Baltimore, with the approval of the Chief Judge and law school deans. The proposed legislation would further broaden this provision, allowing the Chief Judge to designate sessions at any secondary or postsecondary educational institutions in Maryland, in coordination with the administrations of those institutions. This change would provide more flexibility for the court to engage with educational settings, potentially offering students and the public greater exposure to the judicial process. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2025, and maintains the existing requirements that court sessions continue for at least ten months per year and that cases be heard by panels of at least three judges, with decisions requiring a majority vote of the panel.

Justice

Judiciary (H)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0786?ys=2025RS