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MarylandHB 04672026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Correctional Services - Maryland Parole Commission and Erroneously Convicted Individuals - Improvements in Transparency and Equity

Sponsored By: Elizabeth Embry (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

CorrectionsCommittees and CommissionsCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.DisclosureElectronic GovernmentHearingsIncarcerated IndividualsMedical Testing and DiagnosisNoticesParole and ProbationPrivacyPublic InformationPublic Safety and Correctional Services, Department ofRecordings -see also- VideoRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsState's AttorneysTimeVictims -see also- Criminal Injuries CompensationVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

State payments for the wrongly convicted

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland uses an administrative hearing to decide eligibility for compensation if you were wrongly convicted. You qualify if you have a full pardon that says your conviction was conclusively in error, or if you prove by clear and convincing evidence that you were convicted and confined for a felony, your case was reversed or dismissed or ended in acquittal, you did not commit the offense or act as an accessory, and you did not suborn perjury or fabricate evidence. File at the Office of Administrative Hearings; the county State’s Attorney and the State (Attorney General) are parties, and a county cannot be made a party. The administrative law judge may weigh older or limited evidence. The law applies to cases that were already pending before the effective date.

No permanent parole denials, regular reviews

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Commission cannot permanently deny parole. If your sentence is 10 years or less, you get a new hearing within 2 years after denial. If your sentence is more than 10 years, you get a new hearing within 3 years. If your sentence is more than 20 years for a crime against a person, you get a hearing within 3 years after the first denial and then at least every 5 years.

Open parole data and hearing records

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Parole Commission must give incarcerated people and their representatives the key documents used at a parole hearing, with victims’ addresses and phone numbers removed and limited confidential items withheld. It must record every hearing, state reasons on the record, give the recording to the incarcerated person at no cost, and keep it until three years after release and after supervision and appeals end. The Commission must publish each commissioner’s vote and reasons, and any vote to close a hearing. The yearly report must show, by race, how many paroles were granted or denied, reasons for denials, administrative releases, hearings and purposes, parole‑eligible not granted, administrative reviews, and revocation outcomes.

Faster parole decisions with firm deadlines

Beginning October 1, 2026, hearing examiners must send a written report and recommendation within 14 days to the Commission, the corrections chief, and the incarcerated person. Either the corrections chief or the person can file written exceptions within 30 days; if none is filed and the Commission does not act in 30 days, the recommendation is approved. The Commission must issue a final decision as soon as possible, but no later than 12 months after the hearing. If parole is denied, the Commission must send written reasons and the date of the next hearing within 14 days.

Victim impact statements must be weighed

Beginning October 1, 2026, parole examiners and commissioners must consider any victim impact statement and certain recommendations when deciding parole. This includes original, later‑filed, or updated statements. These materials are part of the file for parole decisions and predetermined parole release agreements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Elizabeth Embry

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Regina T. Boyce

    Democratic • House

  • Frank M. Conaway

    Democratic • House

  • Kris Fair

    Democratic • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • Gabriel M. Moreno

    Democratic • House

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Ruth

    Democratic • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Sean A. Stinnett

    Democratic • House

  • Sarah Wolek

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila J. Woods

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 262

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 27 • No: 13 • Other: 4

House vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 96 • No: 37 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 100 • No: 37 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/21/2026

Floor Amendment {703023/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected

Yes: 38 • No: 86 • Other: 11

House vote • 3/21/2026

Floor Amendment {433525/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected

Yes: 35 • No: 89 • Other: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 432

    5/12/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (96-37)

    4/9/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (27-13)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {273220/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (100-37)

    3/23/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/21/2026House

  12. Floor Amendment {703023/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected (38-86)

    3/21/2026House

  13. Floor Amendment {433525/1 (Delegate Miller) Rejected (35-89)

    3/21/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments {933728/1 Adopted

    3/21/2026House

  15. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

    3/21/2026House

  16. Hearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/29/2026House

  17. First Reading Judiciary

    1/23/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/9/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/21/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/23/2026

    PDF

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