Maryland Criminal Justice Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
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 - 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 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 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
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 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 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 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 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 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)
Feb. 16, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - House (97 - 38)
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 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)
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 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)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
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 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 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)
Feb. 4, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
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)
March 15, 2018 MD HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
March 8, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
March 21, 2016 MD HB 1016 Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures Bill Passed - House (92 - 44)
March 12, 2016 MD HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
Jan. 21, 2016 MD SB 528 Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52)
Jan. 21, 2016 MD SB 517 Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55)
March 23, 2015 MD HB 121 Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (85 - 55)
March 23, 2015 MD HB 121 Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (85 - 55)
March 19, 2015 MD HB 124 Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
March 19, 2015 MD HB 124 Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
March 7, 2014 MD HB 354 Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (84 - 51)
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
March 21, 2013 MD HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
March 15, 2013 MD SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
March 15, 2013 MD SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
March 15, 2012 MD HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
April 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
March 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
April 3, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 - 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)
4/06 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
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 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)
4/06 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 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 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
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)
2/16 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - House (97 - 38)
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)
3/29 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)
4/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
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)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
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)
3/18 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)
3/11 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)
2/04 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
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)
3/15 HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
3/08 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
3/21 HB 1016 Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures Bill Passed - House (92 - 44)
3/12 HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
1/21 SB 528 Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52)
1/21 SB 517 Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55)
3/23 HB 121 Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (85 - 55)
3/23 HB 121 Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (85 - 55)
3/19 HB 124 Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
3/19 HB 124 Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
3/07 HB 354 Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (84 - 51)
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
3/21 HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
3/15 SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
3/15 SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
3/15 HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
4/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
3/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
4/09 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
4/03 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
3/26 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/26 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)

arrow_upward