MD HB819

Establishes the Commission to Examine the Expungement Laws of Maryland, tasked with reviewing current expungement laws and processes under Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the Criminal Procedure Article for issues of efficiency and equity, comparing other states' expungement laws, and developing an alternate statutory scheme with a streamlined process and broader eligibility.

Commission membership includes 2 senators, 2 delegates, the president of the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association, the Public Defender, the State Court Administrator, the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and 8 Governor-appointed members representing research organizations, expungement attorneys, workforce organizations, reentry organizations, crime victims' advocacy groups, and individuals with criminal records currently ineligible for expungement.

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy shall provide staff support; members serve without compensation but are entitled to expense reimbursement under Standard State Travel Regulations.

The Commission must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2027.

The Act takes effect June 1, 2026, and automatically sunsets at the end of June 30, 2028, after a period of 2 years and 1 month.