summary
Introduced
02/13/2015
02/13/2015
In Committee
04/13/2015
04/13/2015
Crossed Over
04/08/2015
04/08/2015
Passed
04/13/2015
04/13/2015
Dead
Vetoed
05/22/2015
05/22/2015
Introduced Session
2015 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Altering specified qualifications for voter registration; and providing that individuals discharged from incarceration are qualified to register to vote.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Maryland's election laws to restore voting rights to individuals who have been convicted of a felony and have completed their court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any parole or probation. Previously, individuals were disqualified from voting if they were "actually serving" a sentence, but this bill changes that to "currently serving" to clarify that completion of the sentence restores eligibility. The bill also designates the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services as a voter registration agency, requiring it to provide individuals with information about their voting rights and registration forms upon release from incarceration, and to offer educational programs about voting rights to incarcerated individuals before their release. Additionally, courts will now be required to inform defendants convicted of a felony about the loss of their voting rights while serving their sentence.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (51)
Cory McCray (D)*,
Curtis Anderson (D),
Angela Angel (D),
Ben Barnes (D),
Darryl Barnes (D),
Will Campos (D),
Alfred Carr (D),
Jill Carter (D),
Frank Conaway (D),
Bonnie Cullison (D),
Eric Ebersole (D),
Diana Fennell (D),
C. William Frick (D),
Jim Gilchrist (D),
Cheryl Glenn (D),
Ana Gutierrez (D),
Antonio Hayes (D),
Keith Haynes (D),
Anne Healey (D),
Shelly Hettleman (D),
Sheila Hixson (D),
Marvin Holmes (D),
Carolyn Howard (D),
Jay Jalisi (D),
Adrienne Jones (D),
Ariana Kelly (D),
Marc Korman (D),
Clarence Lam (D),
Brooke Lierman (D),
Eric Luedtke (D),
Maggie McIntosh (D),
Aruna Miller (D),
David Moon (D),
Marice Morales (D),
Nathaniel Oaks (D),
Edith Patterson (D),
Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D),
Andrew Platt (D),
Kirill Reznik (D),
A. Shane Robinson (D),
Barbara Robinson (D),
Sandy Rosenberg (D),
Sheree Sample-Hughes (D),
Will Smith (D),
Charles Sydnor (D),
Jimmy Tarlau (D),
Kris Valderrama (D),
Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D),
Michael Vaughn (D),
Alonzo Washington (D),
Mary Washington (D),
Last Action
Vetoed by the Governor (Policy) (on 05/22/2015)
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