Bill > HB853

This bill introduces the Maryland Second Look Act, which allows certain individuals who were convicted as adults between the ages of 18 and 25 to file a motion to reduce their sentence under specific conditions. Eligible individuals must have served at least 20 years of their sentence, not be sentenced to life without parole, not be a sex offender, and not have been convicted of murder involving a first responder killed in the line of duty. The bill establishes a comprehensive procedure for sentence reduction hearings, where the court will consider multiple factors including the individual's age at the time of the offense, their institutional behavior, rehabilitation efforts, maturity, and potential for successful reentry into society. During the hearing, both the individual and the State can present evidence, and victims may submit impact statements. The court can reduce the sentence if it determines the individual is not a danger to the public and that justice would be better served by a reduced sentence. The legislation limits individuals to filing up to three motions for sentence reduction, with at least three years between each motion, and requires the court to issue a written decision addressing specific factors and potentially imposing conditions to ensure victim safety. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and applies to individuals convicted before and after this date who meet the specified criteria.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0853?ys=2025RS