# Maryland SB 0162: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation

Maryland SB 0162, Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Chris West (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-05-12 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 498) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0162-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland SB 0162
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-10-22
- Last action: 2026-05-12, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 498
- Sponsor: Chris West (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Criminal Law - Procedures, Courts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc., Hearings, Minors -see also- Age of Majority; Youth, Penalties and Sentences -see also- Death Penalty, Time
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (144 yes, 36 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 2

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- More people can seek shorter sentences: benefit, high. Beginning October 1, 2026, more people in Maryland prisons can ask the court to cut their sentence. You are eligible after at least 20 years in prison if: (1) you were convicted as an adult for a crime you committed as a minor; or (2) you were 18–24 at the time of the crime, were not sentenced to l…
- Hearing rules for sentence reductions: mixed, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, you must attend the sentence-reduction hearing unless you waive that right; video appearance counts as being present. You can present evidence to support your motion, and the State can present evidence for or against it. The victim or a victim representative gets notice a…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Chris West (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-07 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 99 | 36 | 3 |
| 2026-03-19 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 45 | 0 |   |

## Actions (13)

- 2026-05-12: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 498
- 2026-04-08: Returned Passed (Senate)
- 2026-04-07: Third Reading Passed (99-36) (House)
- 2026-04-06: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-04-06: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House)
- 2026-03-20: Referred Judiciary (House)
- 2026-03-19: Third Reading Passed (45-0) (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Second Reading Passed (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Favorable Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-16: Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: First Reading Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Hearing 1/27 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2025-10-22: Pre-filed (Senate)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2026-05-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_498_sb0162t.pdf)
- Racial Equity Impact Note, 2026-03-20: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2026RS-SB0162-REIN.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2026-03-18: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0162t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-01-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0162f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_498_sb0162t.pdf)
- [Racial Equity Impact Note (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2026RS-SB0162-REIN.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0162t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0162f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0162-2026RS (as of 2026-10-11).