Maryland legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Maryland HB853: Postconviction Review - Procedure to Reduce Duration of Sentence (Maryland Second Look Act)
Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2025
Authorizing a certain individual to file a motion to reduce the duration of a certain sentence if the individual was convicted between the ages of at least 18 and under 25, was not sentenced to life, is not a sex offender, has served at least 20 years of the term of confinement, and was not convicted of murder involving a victim who was a first responder who was killed in the line of duty; applying procedures for a proceeding under the Act; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Procedure - Petition to Reduce Postconviction Review - Procedure to Reduce Duration of Sentence (Maryland Second Look Act) FOR the purpose of authorizing an individual who is serving a term of confinement to petition a court to reduce the sentence or sentences a certain individual to file a motion to reduce the duration of a certain sentence under certain circumstances; establishing applying procedures for a proceeding under this Act; applying this Act EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law…
From the enrolled text, April 5, 2025:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Petition to Reduce Postconviction Review - Procedure to Reduce Duration of Sentence (Maryland Second Look Act) FOR the purpose of authorizing an individual who is serving a term of confinement to petition a court to reduce the sentence or sentences a certain individual to file a motion to reduce the duration of a certain sentence under certain circumstances; establishing applying procedures for a proceeding under this Act; applying this Act EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference co mm i tte e a m en dm en ts*. hb0853* HOUSE BILL retroactively; and generally relating to a petition to reduce a sentence or sentences duration of sentence. BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 8-501 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 5. Petition to Reduce Sentence" Section 8-110 Annotated Code of Maryland (2018 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Procedure SUBTITLE 5. PETITION TO REDUCE SENTENCE. 8-501. (A) (1) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER …