PRIA Logo™
MarylandSB 01402026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

Sponsored By: Chris West (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.ExtortionHarassment -see also- ThreatsMedical AssistancePenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPublic Benefits -see also- Housing; MedAsst; SupplNutrAsstPRetirement -see also- Mandatory RetirementSocial SecuritySupplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramVeterans

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New crime for stealing government benefits

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law makes it a crime to recruit, keep, move, or obtain a person to take their government benefits. It also bans helping or profiting from any such scheme. Covered benefits include Medicare, Medicaid, TANF, WIC, SNAP, Social Security and SSDI, veterans and pension benefits, TDAP, and PAA. Using deception, threats, isolation, or other coercion counts. Penalties scale with the total value taken: under $1,500 is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or a $500 fine). $1,500 to under $25,000 is a felony (up to 5 years or $10,000); $25,000 to under $100,000 is a felony (up to 10 years or $15,000); $100,000 or more is a felony (up to 20 years or $25,000). Each violation is a separate crime, and judges may run sentences at the same time or one after another.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris West

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 663

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (132-0)

    4/8/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/6/2026House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {733322/1 Adopted

    4/6/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

    4/6/2026House

  9. Referred Judiciary

    3/13/2026House

  10. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. Favorable with Amendments {593926/1 Adopted

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    3/9/2026Senate

  14. First Reading Judicial Proceedings

    1/14/2026Senate

  15. Hearing 1/20 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/13/2026Senate

  16. Pre-filed

    9/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/9/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation