MD SB507

Evidence of a defendant's autism spectrum disorder, developmental disability, or intellectual disability diagnosis becomes admissible in criminal proceedings if it shows whether the defendant had the required mental state at the time of the alleged offense

Judges and District Court commissioners must consider any developmental or intellectual disability diagnosis when making pretrial release determinations

Covered conditions include autism spectrum disorder (as defined in the DSM), developmental disabilities manifested before age 22, and intellectual disabilities involving significantly subaverage intellectual functioning

Expert testimony regarding these diagnoses is explicitly permitted under the new evidentiary rules

Effective date: October 1, 2025