SB162 - Repeal of Sentence Reduction Filing Limitation for Adult-Convicted Minors
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 162 passed both chambers unanimously (45-0) on March 19, 2026, and received House adoption on April 6, 2026. The bill repeals an October 1, 2021 sentencing date limitation that restricted when individuals convicted as adults for offenses committed while minors could file a motion to reduce their sentence duration. This restores broader post-conviction relief rights for a population previously subject to a filing deadline.
What changed
Maryland SB162 removes the October 1, 2021 sentencing date limitation for individuals who were convicted as adults for offenses committed as minors to file a motion to reduce sentence duration. This reverses a prior legislative restriction that had imposed a deadline on when such post-conviction relief could be sought.
For criminal defense attorneys and affected individuals, this bill opens a path to sentence modification for those who missed prior filing windows. Courts and the Maryland judiciary will need to process an anticipated increase in sentence reduction motions. The unanimous passage indicates broad legislative consensus that the prior limitation was unduly restrictive for juvenile offenders tried as adults.
What to do next
- Review SB162 to identify eligible clients previously barred by the October 1, 2021 limitation
- Assess pending cases affected by the now-repealed sentencing restriction
- Monitor Maryland courts for implementation guidance on motions to reduce sentences
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB162 Passed SB162 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-19
Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Repeal of Sentencing Date Limitation
Repealing the sentencing date limitation of October 1, 2021, for an individual convicted as an adult of an offense committed when the individual was a minor to file a motion to reduce the duration of the sentence.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Chris West (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-06 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-06 H Favorable Report by Judiciary 2026-03-20 H Referred Judiciary 2026-03-19 S Third Reading Passed (45-0) 2026-03-18 S Second Reading Passed 2026-03-18 S Favorable Adopted 2026-03-16 S Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings 2026-01-13 S Hearing 1/27 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-01-14 S First Reading Judicial Proceedings 2025-10-22 S Pre-filed
Votes
2026-03-19 Third Reading Passed Yea: 45 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 S Judicial Proceedings 2026-03-20 H Judiciary
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-11 Introduced 2026-03-18 Engrossed
Subjects
Criminal Law - Procedures Courts Hearings Minors Penalties and Sentences Time Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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