Maryland Criminal Justice Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 8, 2024 MD SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 9, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 9, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - House (97 - 38)
April 8, 2022 MD HB 1116 Establishes Regulations for the Issuance of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Charles County Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 5, 2022 MD SB 861 Increases Firearm Misdemeanors into Felonies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
April 1, 2022 MD HB 837 Establishes Regulations for the Legal Use of Cannabis and Marijuana Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
March 31, 2022 MD HB 837 Establishes Regulations for the Legal Use of Cannabis and Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 29, 2022 MD SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (92 - 41)
March 26, 2022 MD HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 39)
March 22, 2022 MD HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 16, 2022 MD SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
April 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 6, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 5, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 11, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
March 11, 2021 MD SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 1336 Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 1006 Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated Bill Passed - House (102 - 32)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 708 Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund Bill Passed - House (104 - 28)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 15, 2020 MD SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 10, 2020 MD SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
March 9, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 7, 2020 MD SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
April 8, 2019 MD SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
March 28, 2019 MD SB 793 Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
March 18, 2019 MD HB 786 Amends Hunting Rifle and Shotgun Regulations Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
April 5, 2018 MD HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
March 22, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 15, 2018 MD HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
March 12, 2018 MD SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/06 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/04 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
3/31 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/09 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/09 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/21 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
2/16 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - House (97 - 38)
4/08 HB 1116 Establishes Regulations for the Issuance of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Charles County Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/05 SB 861 Increases Firearm Misdemeanors into Felonies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
4/01 HB 837 Establishes Regulations for the Legal Use of Cannabis and Marijuana Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
3/31 HB 837 Establishes Regulations for the Legal Use of Cannabis and Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/29 SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (92 - 41)
3/26 HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 39)
3/22 HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/16 SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
4/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
4/07 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/06 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/05 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
4/02 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/11 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
3/11 SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/03 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/03 SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/18 HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
3/18 HB 1336 Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31)
3/18 SB 1006 Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated Bill Passed - House (102 - 32)
3/18 SB 708 Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund Bill Passed - House (104 - 28)
3/16 HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/15 SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/11 HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
3/11 HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/10 SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
3/09 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/07 SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
2/04 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
4/08 SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
3/28 SB 793 Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
3/18 HB 786 Amends Hunting Rifle and Shotgun Regulations Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
4/05 HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
4/03 HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/03 HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
3/22 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/15 HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
3/12 SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)

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