Maryland House splits on ‘second‑look’ sentencing bill after hours of amendment votes

The Maryland House engaged in an extended, emotionally fraught debate over a bill creating a structured “second look” process allowing some people sentenced as young adults to seek judicial review of long sentences after serving two decades.

The bill’s proponents said it addresses science about brain development, offers an orderly way for judges to consider demonstrated rehabilitation, and builds on parole‑and‑sentencing reforms passed earlier in the term. The House Judiciary chair described the bill as narrowly targeted — it applies to people who were 18–25 at the time of the offense and excludes certain categories (the committee had removed language covering offenses like sexual assault from the…