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Maryland lawmakers hear testimony for commission to study racial disparities in criminal justice
Summary
Supporters told the House Judiciary Committee that HB 14-23 would create a legislatively authorized commission to gather data and recommend reforms to address racial disparities across arrest, charging, plea, sentencing and parole processes; no committee vote was taken.
Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield, sponsor of House Bill 14-23, told the House Judiciary Committee that the bill would establish a commission to review racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system and recommend policy solutions. “Maryland’s correctional facilities currently exhibit stark racial disparities,” she said, noting that Black Marylanders are about 30% of the state population but account for roughly 71% of people incarcerated.
Why it matters: Supporters and researchers said Maryland’s racial disparity in incarceration is among the highest in the nation and that a legislatively created commission — with assigned staff and…
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