Maryland

HB 157/SB 98 (Del. Moon/Sen. Hettleman) – This bill would improve Maryland’s parole and release process for the very sick and elderly in state prisons. The bill would clearly define medical terms for medical parole; create geriatric parole for anyone over 60 who has served at least 15 years and is not on sex offender registry; require reporting of statistics on use of geriatric parole; and remove the governor’s power to veto a grant of medical parole to people serving life sentences. FAMM supports this bill.

Read FAMM’s statement in support of HB 157/SB 98.

Read about Maryland’s current compassionate release law

Read FAMM’s compassionate release report card for Maryland

Read FAMM’s national poll showing broad support for compassionate release

HB 64/SB 87 (Del. Davis/Sen. Hettleman) – This bill would establish a Correctional Ombudsman in the Attorney General’s office. The ombudsman would be appointed by the attorney general and serve a 5-year term. The ombudsman would have the power to inspect prisons, investigate complaints, and subpoena documents or witnesses. The Ombudsman would be advised by a Correctional Ombudsman Advisory Board composed of 10 people appointed by the Attorney General. FAMM supports this bill.

Read FAMM’s statement in support of HB 64/SB 87.

Read FAMM’s poll showing that 82 percent of Americans support prison oversight.

SB 850 (Sen. Carter) – Felony murder is considered first degree murder in Maryland and carries a mandatory sentence of life or life without the possibility of parole. Felony murder occurs when a person is killed during the commission of another serious felony like arson, kidnapping, or burglary. If passed, SB 850 would eliminate felony murder as a first degree murder charge that people under age 25 can be convicted of under Maryland state law. Under SB 850, people under age 25 could instead only be charged with second degree murder in a felony murder case. Second degree murder carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison in Maryland. So, allowing people under age 25 to be convicted of second degree rather than first degree murder in Maryland means that these young people would face sentences of up to 40 years, rather than life in prison. SB 850 would give young people involved in felony murder cases a sentence that allows for the possibility of parole and release. This is appropriate since people under age 25 do not have fully developed adult brains and are often involved in felony murder under the pressure or direction of older, more culpable adult co-defendants. People under age 25 also have tremendous potential for growth, maturity, and rehabilitation during their time in prison. SB 850 would apply prospectively only – in other words, it would apply only to people sentenced after the date the bill goes into effect, not people who have already been convicted and sentenced before the bill goes into effect. FAMM supports this bill as a good first step to reforming Maryland’s felony murder statute.

Read FAMM’s statement on SB 850