Legislative Efforts
Legislative Efforts
The House and Senate Committees have scheduled our priority legislation. Now we need your support. Your voice will help us advance the cause of crime victims.
*Please note that no grant funding is used for lobbying efforts*
Please take a few minutes to support the following legislation!
UPCOMING MCVRC LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR 2026
HB-853
These are the current requests to legislators.
- Assign HB 853 to a Subcommittee to study its implementation and impact on victims, their mental health, and public safety.
- Amend HB 853 to:
- Limit petitions to one hearing per eligible inmate.
- Exclude first-degree murderers.
- Exclude those serving life sentences from eligibility.
- Exclude those convicted of hate crime from eligibility.
- Clarify how HB 853 interacts with the Maryland Parole Commission to maintain consistency and transparency.
MCVRC LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
- RESTITUTION REQUIRED FOR EXPUNGEMENTS: Bill to require restitution payment in full prior to any expungement. Affects CP 10-105 and CP 10-110.
- RESTITUTION PAYMENT SCHEDULE REQUIRED: Bill requires a minimum payment schedule when restitution is ordered. Affects CP 11-607
- VICTIMS’ NOTICE AND RIGHT TO BE HEARD: Bill brings statute up to date with Syed decision and Constitutional rights. Affects CP 11-1002, 11-102 & HG 8-502
- VICTIMS’ RIGHT TO APPEAL: Bill brings statute up to date with Syed decision and Constitutional rights. Affects CP §11-103.
- VICTIMS’ RIGHT TO MOVE FOR RECONSIDERATION OF RESTITUTION. Affects CP §11-103.
- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD AWARDS: Bill to specify what is legally sufficient evidence before the Board and specify that income or assets not received as a result of the criminal conduct at issue should not be allowed to be the basis to reject an award. Affects CP 11-810 and CP 11-811.
2025
HB-190
Requires parole commission to consider the age of incarcerated individuals when determining whether to grant parole; altering how the Commission evaluates a request for medical parole, including providing for a meeting between the incarcerated individual and the Commission; requiring the Commission to develop procedures for assessing parole requests by older incarcerated individuals; and requiring the Commission to report yearly to the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board on the outcomes of certain parole considerations.
UPDATE: Passed in Senate, approved by Governor
HB-195
Altering the time period after which a court is required to dismiss a certain charge against a defendant found incompetent to stand trial under certain circumstances; and requiring a court to provide a certain notice and provide an opportunity to be heard to the State’s Attorney and a certain victim or victim’s representative before dismissing a certain charge against a defendant found incompetent to stand trial.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House or Senate
HB-311
Repealing provisions relating to gubernatorial approval of a decision of the Maryland Parole Commission to grant medical parole to an incarcerated individual serving a sentence of life imprisonment.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House or Senate
HB-352
Establishing or altering certain administrative penalties; altering or repealing certain required appropriations; authorizing the use of certain funds for certain purposes; establishing certain funds; authorizing, requiring, or altering the distribution of certain revenue; altering the rates and rate brackets under the State income tax on certain income of individuals; requiring certain groups of corporations to file a combined income tax return reflecting the aggregate income tax liability of all members of the group; etc.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House or Senate
HB-526
Altering the definition of “reportable offense” to remove the requirement that the offense occurred off school premises and did not occur at an event sponsored by the school; and requiring the Department of Juvenile Services to report to the local superintendent of schools and school principal for certain decisions made during a certain inquiry of a juvenile offender for certain offenses.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House or Senate
HB-544
Establishing that it is a misdemeanor to intentionally cause offensive contact, engage in conduct tending to put another in fear of offensive contact, or attempt to cause offensive contact; and altering a certain list of convictions that are eligible for expungement under certain circumstances.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House, no cross-filed bill
HB-613
Prohibiting a court or a party in a criminal or juvenile delinquency case from disclosing or allowing inspection of a certain court filing unless the court or the party redacts identifying information relating to a victim of sexual assault that appears in the filing, subject to a certain exception; requiring a court to redact identifying information relating to a victim of sexual assault from an existing filing on a written request; requiring the Supreme Court of Maryland to adopt a certain rule regarding the redaction of certain information; etc.
UPDATE: Did not pass in House, no crossfiled bill
SB-039
Authorizing an individual serving a term of confinement to petition a court to modify or reduce the sentence under certain circumstances; providing that a certain petitioner is entitled to assistance of counsel and, if indigent, representation by the Office of the Public Defender; and authorizing a certain person to apply to the Appellate Court of Maryland for leave to appeal a certain order in a certain manner and within a certain period of time after the court passes a certain order in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
UPDATE: Withdrawn by Sponsor
SB-321
Establishing or altering certain administrative penalties; altering or repealing certain required appropriations; authorizing the use of certain funds for certain purposes; establishing certain funds; authorizing, requiring, or altering the distribution of certain revenue; altering the rates and rate brackets under the State income tax on certain income of individuals; requiring certain groups of corporations to file a combined income tax return reflecting the aggregate income tax liability of all members of the group; etc.
SB-386
Altering the definition of “reportable offense” to remove the requirement that the offense occurred off school premises and did not occur at an event sponsored by the school; and requiring the Department of Juvenile Services to report to the local superintendent of schools and school principal for certain decisions made during a certain inquiry of a juvenile offender for certain offenses.
SB-735
Prohibiting the earning of diminution credits to reduce the term of confinement of an incarcerated individual who is serving a sentence for murder in the first degree or murder in the second degree in a State or local correctional facility; prohibiting a deduction of diminution credits of more than 10% of an incarcerated individual’s aggregate sentence for crimes of violence for an incarcerated individual who is serving a sentence for a crime of violence; etc.
SB-291
Requires parole commission to consider age of defendant and whether they “will not recidivate”; provides for “medica; (same as SB-123 from 2024) was presented to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on January 28, 2025.
UPDATE: Did not pass in Senate
SB-181 (Cross bill HB-190)
Requires parole commission to consider age of defendant and whether they “will not recidivate”; provides for “medica; (same as SB-123 from 2024) was presented to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on January 28, 2025.
UPDATE: Did not pass in Senate
HB-853
This legislation proposes that any defendant who has served 20 years of a sentence regardless of whether the sentence is life or a significantly longer term be entitled to a new resentencing hearing every five (5) years.
UPDATE: Passed in House, approved by Governor
MCVRC has fought tirelessly for victims’ rights, and we cannot remain silent when legislation favors criminals over victims. MCVRC will always be here for you and will continue our commitment to advocating for victims’ rights.
The focus of our justice system should prioritize the protection of innocent individuals rather than finding more ways for violent offenders to be released from jail early. There are already at least 16 ways for convicted offenders to challenge their sentence after conviction. Let the focus be on protecting victims and NOT providing more ways for violent offenders to get out of jail to avoid their sentences.
2022
Senate Bill 842
was presented to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. This bill is referred to as the “Maryland Second Look Act” that allows ALL convicted criminals to have a new sentencing hearing after 20 years.
We at MCVRC are concerned about this bill and our Executive Director, Kurt Wolfgang, provided both written and oral testimony as such. We are asking our partners, other advocate groups and our community to reach out to legislators to oppose this bill.
We must continue to advocate for crime victims and their survivors, and we need your help.
2018
HB 247/SB 963
Reorganizes State government to better assist victims and to obtain an additional $788,000 in federal funds for criminal injuries compensation; creates a restitution unit to determine how to improve restitution collection. Call Judiciary (SB 963) and Judicial Proceedings Members (HB 247)
HB 1451/SB 767
Covering victims for non-intentional offenses by vehicles and vessels for criminal injuries compensation under the Criminal Law Article (fixing a problem of a victim’s representative who we served); covering federal and other victims to ensure compliance that Maryland receives its matching federal funds for compensation. Call Judicial Proceedings Members (HB 247 and SB 767)
HB 1520/SB 766
provide notification to victims in jurisdictions having pretrial release service programs related to charges filed, conditions of release, and how to seek relief if a defendant violates a condition of release. Call Judiciary (HB 1520) and Judicial Proceedings Members (SB 766)
2017
HB 233
Delegate Barron, et al DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL RECORDS – GUARDIAN AD LITEM – VICTIMS OF CRIME OR DELINQUENT ACTS Requiring a health care provider to disclose a medical record without specified authorization to a guardian ad litem appointed by a court to protect specified interests of a minor or a disabled or elderly individual who is a specified victim, for a specified purpose and use in specified court proceedings; authorizing a specified guardian ad litem to redisclose a specified record under specified circumstances; etc. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2017 HG, §§ 4-302(d), 4-304(c)(5), and 4-306(b)(10) and (11) – amended and § 4-306(b)(12) – added Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
2016
Courts – Prohibition Against Testimony by Convicted Perjurer – Repeal
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): HB0237 / CH0531 (SB0150 / CH0530)
- Primary Sponsor: Delegate Smith
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 531
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary 2/9/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings
Criminal Procedure – Victim’s Right to Restitution – Appeal
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): HB0659 / CH0541 (SB0187 / CH0540)
- Primary Sponsor: Delegate Proctor
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 541
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary 2/16/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings
Study of Intercepting Horse Racing Winnings for Child Support and Restitution
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): HB0707 / CH0195 (SB0372 / CH0194)
- Primary Sponsor: Delegate Valentino-Smith
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 195
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Ways and Means 3/8/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Finance 4/8/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
Justice Reinvestment Act
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): HB1312 (SB1005 / CH0515)
- Primary Sponsor: Speaker
- Status: Rereferred to Judicial Proceedings
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary 3/4/2016 – 2:00 p.m. Health and Government Operations
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings
Courts – Prohibition Against Testimony by Convicted Perjurer – Repeal
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): SB0150 / CH0530 (HB0237 / CH0531)
- Primary Sponsor: Senator Lee
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 530
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings 1/26/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary 3/30/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
Criminal Procedure – Victim’s Right to Restitution – Appeal
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): SB0187 / CH0540 (HB0659 / CH0541)
- Primary Sponsor: Senator Lee
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 540
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings 2/11/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary 3/30/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
Study of Intercepting Horse Racing Winnings for Child Support and Restitution
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): SB0372 / CH0194 (HB0707 / CH0195)
- Primary Sponsor: Senator Peters
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 194
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Finance 2/18/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Ways and Means 3/29/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
Justice Reinvestment Act
- Number/ Chapter (Cross File): SB1005 / CH0515 (HB1312)
- Primary Sponsor: President
- Status: Approved by the Governor – Chapter 515
- Original House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judicial Proceedings 3/2/2016 – 1:00 p.m.
- Opposite House Committee(s) and Hearing Dates: Judiciary Health and Government Operations
2015
On April 14, 2015, Governor Larry Hogan signed one of Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center’s (MCVRC) 2015 legislative priority into law. The law will help collect restitution for victims from offenders who win money from casino gambling.
LOTTERY FACILITY PAYOUTS – INTERCEPTS FOR RESTITUTION PAYMENTS Requiring video lottery operation licensees to provide specified notices to obligors who win specified prizes and who owe restitution; requiring video lottery operation licensees to make specified payments, withhold specified amounts, honor specified requests in a specified order, and transfer specified amounts under specified circumstances; authorizing specified obligors to appeal specified proposed transfers; etc.
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2015
The new law is Chapter 93 of the 2015 Laws of Maryland. New restitution intercept law – Chapter 93
At a future bill signing date, we hope that the Governor will also sign into law MCVRC’s other 2015 legislative priority:
HB 501/SB 427 – Criminal Procedure – Victims of Crime – Notification Regarding DNA Profile
Requiring a specified law enforcement agency or unit, under specified circumstances, to give a specified victim or victims’ representative timely notice as to specified matters relating to a specified DNA profile; requiring the State Board of Victim Services to develop pamphlets to notify victims and victims’ representatives of how to request information regarding an unsolved case; etc.
- HB 501 as passed by the General Assembly
Help us oppose these bills!!
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Call your state legislators and the Governor that you oppose SB-291 and HB-853!
Take the first step towards help
Ask a victim advocate about our services today by calling 301-952-0063 or 1-877-VICTIM-1
Victims Deserve Justice, Not Loopholes
MCVRC has fought tirelessly for victims’ rights, and we cannot remain silent when legislation favors criminals over victims. MCVRC will always be here for you and will continue our commitment to advocating for victims’ rights.
The focus of our justice system should prioritize the protection of innocent individuals rather than finding more ways for violent offenders to be released from jail early. There are already at least 16 ways for convicted offenders to challenge their sentence after conviction. Let the focus be on protecting victims and NOT providing more ways for violent offenders to get out of jail to avoid their sentences.
