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Bill would let Maryland apply repeat-offender sentencing enhancements for qualifying out-of-state convictions
Summary
Supporters said HB 13-50 would permit Maryland prosecutors to seek subsequent-offender penalties when a prior qualifying conviction occurred in another jurisdiction, including other states, federal, military, or tribal courts; victims’ advocates and state’s attorneys urged a favorable report.
Delegate Lauren Arkin introduced House Bill 13-50 to the House Judiciary Committee to permit certain subsequent-offender penalties — currently available only when the prior conviction occurred in Maryland — to apply when the prior qualifying offense was a conviction in another jurisdiction.
Why it matters: Witnesses from Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association and local prosecutors said the law should treat prior convictions from other states, federal courts, military courts or tribal courts the same as in-state convictions for the limited purpose of enhanced penalties for enumerated offenses. “A prior offense is a prior offense and should be treated as such,” Allison Healy, a state’s attorney, told the committee.
Supporters framed the change as a public-safety and victim-protection measure to ensure repeat offenders are not advantaged by crossing state lines. Lisa Jordan of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and several county state’s attorneys supported the measure. Committee members asked about how the mechanism would work; witnesses explained enhanced penalties require filing notice and that the prior convictions must be proven convictions (not merely allegations).
No committee vote was taken during the hearing.
