JUD Committee Session, 3/31/2026 #1

House Judiciary Committee · March 31, 2026

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4:16:17

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50:00

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3:20:00

4:16:17

Senate Bill 323 — automatic adult charging for youth (presentation and Q&A)

PresentationDiscussion

18:14 → 35:42(17m 27s)

Senator Smith presented SB323 to curtail automatic charging of youth as adults (the bill narrows offenses that trigger automatic adult charging and preserves judicial waiver/transfer safeguards). He argued Maryland's JJDPA noncompliance, racial disparities, and high costs ("over 1,600 last year") justify the change and urged a favorable report; delegates pressed on retained offenses (14–15-year-old murder exceptions) and capacity implications for the Department of Juvenile Services.

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Actions:request favorable report SB323

House Judiciary Committee hearing on March 31 covered a slate of senate cross-files including juvenile auto-charging reform, parole and parole commission changes, stalking and recording law changes, telematics insurance oversight, expungement fixes, and AI/deepfake identity-fraud proposals.

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Transcript

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