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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 explicit stakeholders — would produce actionable recommendations the General Assembly could act on.
Testimony emphasized the commission’s scope and purpose. Natasha Dhartique, identified as the public defender and co-chair of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC), described data the collaborative collected showing disparities at multiple stages: bail decisions, charging, sentencing and juvenile transfers to adult court. “The commission will examine the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing, the use of risk and needs assessments, and evidence-based programs that reduce recidivism,” Dhartique said.
Ryan King, director of research and policy at the Justice Policy Institute, and other witnesses described long-term trends and neighborhood disinvestment that supporters contend have reinforced cycles of incarceration. A juror who had served on a felony-murder case, Steven Gravatt, described confusion and moral tension he experienced in applying the felony-murder doctrine and urged study of how that doctrine may disproportionately affect nonwhite defendants.
Committee members asked whether the proposed commission would examine conditions inside correctional facilities and how it would differ from MEJC’s work. Supporters and the Attorney General (present at the table) said the legislature’s imprimatur — a statute establishing the commission with assigned staff and appointed stakeholders — would ensure formal reporting, oversight and legislative follow-up. A friendly amendment to include the public defender and the attorney general on the commission was noted as accepted.
No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing. The committee concluded after testimony and questions and said the item was taken up for consideration during the hearing day; no outcome was announced.
Looking ahead: The bill sponsor asked for a favorable report; supporters said the commission’s data-driven findings would underpin future legislation.
