Bill > HB1309

This bill establishes a Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System, comprised of members from the Senate, House of Delegates, the Public Defender, the Attorney General, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, and public representatives with experience in justice reform and victim advocacy, along with appointees by the Governor representing justice reform non-profits and crime victims' advocacy groups. The Commission, co-chaired by individuals with experience in criminal law, judicial matters, and data-driven research, will be staffed by the Department of Legislative Services with assistance from academic institutions and will study and make recommendations on issues such as the disparate treatment of non-White individuals in policing, arrests, charging, pretrial detention, sentencing, and prosecution, including the impacts of mandatory minimum sentencing and the felony murder doctrine, as well as explore alternative methods to improve racial equity and transparency, enhance systemic structures for race-neutral assessments and sentencing alternatives, consider using the Division of Parole and Probation for risk assessments, increase judicial discretion in sentencing, and design programs to reduce prison populations and recidivism, while also improving data collection methods for ongoing monitoring of racial disparities. The Commission is required to hold at least four public hearings and submit an interim report by October 1, 2027, and a final report by September 1, 2028, to legislative committees, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2026, and remaining in effect for three years.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1309?ys=2026RS