Offensive Contact Misdemeanor and Related Criminal Procedure Changes
Summary
Maryland passed SB514 establishing a misdemeanor for intentionally causing offensive contact, engaging in conduct placing another in fear of offensive contact, or attempting such contact. The bill also limits District Court commissioner authority to issue arrest warrants under certain circumstances and modifies the list of convictions eligible for expungement. The bill passed the Senate 45-0 on March 19, 2026.
What changed
SB514 creates a new misdemeanor offense under third-degree assault provisions, criminalizing intentional offensive physical contact, threatening conduct likely to cause fear of such contact, and attempted offensive contact. The bill restricts when District Court commissioners may issue arrest warrants and alters expungement eligibility by modifying which convictions qualify for record shielding.
Law enforcement agencies and criminal defense practitioners should familiarize themselves with the new offensive contact elements for charging decisions and plea negotiations. District Court commissioners must understand the revised warrant issuance restrictions. Individuals with relevant criminal histories should consult counsel regarding potential changes to expungement eligibility under the amended conviction list.
What to do next
- Review new offensive contact misdemeanor elements for charging and defense purposes
- Update District Court commissioner warrant issuance procedures to reflect restrictions
- Assess client expungement eligibility changes under modified conviction list
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB514 Passed SB514 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-19
Criminal Law - Third-Degree Assault
Providing that a District Court commissioner may not issue an arrest warrant under certain circumstances; establishing that it is a misdemeanor to intentionally cause offensive contact, engage in conduct tending to put another in fear of offensive contact, or attempt to cause offensive contact; and altering a certain list of convictions that are eligible for expungement under certain circumstances.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
William Smith (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 H Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-04-06 H Favorable with Amendments {713123/1 Adopted 2026-04-06 H Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary 2026-03-26 H Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-20 H Referred Judiciary 2026-03-19 S Third Reading Passed (45-0) 2026-03-18 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-03-18 S Favorable with Amendments {393020/1 Adopted 2026-03-18 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings 2026-02-04 S Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-02 S First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Votes
2026-03-19 Third Reading Passed Yea: 45 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Judicial Proceedings 2026-03-20 H Judiciary
Amendments
2026-03-18 Favorable with Amendments 393020/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-04-06 Favorable with Amendments 713123/1 Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-03 Introduced 2026-03-19 Engrossed
Subjects
Criminal Law - Substantive Crimes Assault Circuit Courts Crimes and Punishments Criminal Charges District Courts Expungement and Shielded Records Injury Penalties and Sentences Arrests Warrants Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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