MD HB1423

Establishes a 12-member Commission to study racial disparities affecting African Americans, Hispanics, and other non-White individuals across all stages of Maryland's criminal justice system, including policing, arrests, charging, pretrial detention, sentencing, and prosecution

Commission membership includes 2 senators, 2 delegates, representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, State's Attorneys' Association, Criminal Sentencing Policy Commission, Vera Institute of Justice, a crime victims' advocacy group, and 4 community advocates

Study areas include mandatory minimum sentencing impacts (particularly for firearms offenses and felony murder), potential amendments to sentencing guidelines, increased judicial discretion, and the possibility of modifying or abolishing the felony murder doctrine

Commission must hold at least 4 public hearings and submit findings and recommendations to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and House Judiciary Committee by September 1, 2026

Takes effect July 1, 2025 and automatically sunsets on June 30, 2027