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MarylandSB 03232026 Regular SessionSenate

Juvenile Court - Jurisdiction, Detention, and Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act)

Sponsored By: William C. Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Juvenile LawAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcArrestsCommittees and CommissionsCorrectional Institutions -see also- Patuxent InstitutionCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.FingerprintingHearingsJurisdictionJuvenile FacilitiesJuvenile Justice and DelinquencyPretrial Detention or ReleasePrivacyProtection and Peace OrdersRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsRestrictive HousingStandards and Best PracticesTimeTrialsViolence -see also- Domestic Violence; Hate Crimes

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Keeps kids out of adult jails

Beginning 2029-10-01, children in the criminal process are not held where they can see or hear adult inmates. Kids are not housed in adult correctional facilities, and they are not transported with charged or convicted adults. A narrow exception allows temporary processing in an adult jail for up to 6 total hours, including transport, with strict sight‑and‑sound separation. When a court is deciding whether to transfer a case, it must use a secure juvenile facility unless the child is released, there is no bed, or the court finds a safety risk and explains why.

Tighter privacy for juvenile identities

Law enforcement may no longer publicly release photos or identifying details of certain youth who escaped, were missing, or were subject to arrest. This change strengthens privacy for children and families.

When these youth rules apply

The law applies only to acts committed on or after 2026-10-01. It does not apply to prosecutions or delinquency cases for acts that happened before that date.

Stricter, risk-based youth detention rules

A child can be held before a hearing only to protect the child or others, or to prevent flight. Judges or intake officers must consider a validated risk tool before ordering detention. A child is not detained prehearing if the top charge would be a misdemeanor for an adult, except for listed gun offenses, two recent delinquent findings, or when the child was under juvenile services and the adult penalty would be over two years and not second‑degree assault. Children under 13 are not detained for listed gun and public safety offenses if they have no prior adjudication for that offense. Intake officers must authorize detention for youth age 16 or older accused of a handgun violation under §4‑203 or a crime of violence.

Who handles youth cases and charges

The law makes juvenile court the main court for most youth cases. Juvenile court handles any child age 13 or older who is alleged delinquent. It also handles children age 10 to 12 for listed serious acts like violent crimes, certain gun crimes, aggravated animal cruelty, and third‑degree sexual offense. Children under 13 cannot be charged with a crime. Very serious offenses, including crimes punishable by life and other listed crimes, stay in adult court unless a judge moves the case to juvenile court.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William C. Smith

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Benjamin Brooks

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bill Ferguson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shelly Hettleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sara Love

    Democratic • Senate

  • C. Anthony Muse

    Democratic • Senate

  • Charles E. Sydnor

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ron Watson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris West

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 437 • No: 582

House vote • 4/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 92 • No: 39 • Other: 5

House vote • 4/6/2026

Floor Amendment {943025/1 (Delegate Pippy) Rejected

Yes: 38 • No: 88 • Other: 9

House vote • 4/6/2026

Floor Amendment {503923/1 (Delegate Beauchamp) Rejected

Yes: 38 • No: 89 • Other: 8

House vote • 4/6/2026

Floor Amendment (Delegate Buckel) Rejected

Yes: 37 • No: 90 • Other: 9

House vote • 4/6/2026

Floor Amendment {773229/1 (Delegate Schmidt) Rejected

Yes: 39 • No: 88 • Other: 8

House vote • 4/6/2026

Motion Not Allow Laid Over (Delegate Ruth) Adopted

Yes: 88 • No: 37 • Other: 11

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 32 • No: 12 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Floor Amendment {943023/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected

Yes: 14 • No: 27 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Floor Amendment {793920/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected

Yes: 13 • No: 30 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Floor Amendment {963320/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected

Yes: 16 • No: 26 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Motion Special Order until 3/5 (Senator Folden) Rejected

Yes: 14 • No: 29 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Floor Amendment {983221/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected

Yes: 16 • No: 27 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 609

    5/26/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (92-39)

    4/6/2026House

  4. Floor Amendment (Delegate Buckel) Rejected (37-90)

    4/6/2026House

  5. Motion Not Allow Laid Over (Delegate Ruth) Adopted (88-37)

    4/6/2026House

  6. Motion Laid Over (Delegate Pippy) Adopted

    4/6/2026House

  7. Floor Amendment {393423/1 (Delegate Buckel)

    4/6/2026House

  8. Floor Amendment {773229/1 (Delegate Schmidt) Rejected (39-88)

    4/6/2026House

  9. Floor Amendment {503923/1 (Delegate Beauchamp) Rejected (38-89)

    4/6/2026House

  10. Floor Amendment {943025/1 (Delegate Pippy) Rejected (38-88)

    4/6/2026House

  11. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/3/2026House

  12. Favorable Report by Judiciary

    4/3/2026House

  13. Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/27/2026House

  14. Hearing canceled

    3/27/2026House

  15. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/26/2026House

  16. Referred Judiciary

    3/9/2026House

  17. Third Reading Passed (32-12)

    3/6/2026Senate

  18. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. Floor Amendment {983221/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected (16-27)

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Motion Special Order until 3/5 (Senator Folden) Rejected (14-29)

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. Floor Amendment {983221/1 (Senator Folden)

    3/4/2026Senate

  22. Floor Amendment {963320/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (16-26)

    3/4/2026Senate

  23. Floor Amendment {793920/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (13-30)

    3/4/2026Senate

  24. Floor Amendment {943023/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected (14-27)

    3/4/2026Senate

  25. Floor Amendment {883829/1 (Senator Smith) Adopted

    3/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Racial Equity Impact Note

    4/7/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/4/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/22/2026

    PDF

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