HB444 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition.

What is the status of HB444?

Signed into law as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 2 (February 17, 2026).

Nicole Williams (D, 22), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB444?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0444?ys=2026RS

Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session

Maryland HB444: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

Q: What does HB444 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting the State, a unit of local government, a county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent of the State or a unit of local government from entering into a certain immigration enforcement agreement; requiring the termination of an existing immigration enforcement agreement on or before a certain date; and generally relating to immigration enforcement. BY adding to Article - Criminal Procedure Section 5-104.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume).

Status: Signed into law, February 17, 2026

Prohibiting the State, a unit of local government, a county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent of the State or a unit of local government from entering into an immigration enforcement agreement; and requiring the termination of an existing immigration enforcement agreement immediately on the taking effect of the Act.

What the bill says

An act concerning Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting the State, a unit of local government, a county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent of the State or a unit of local government from entering into a certain immigration enforcement agreement; requiring the termination of an existing immigration enforcement agreement on or before a certain date; and generally relating to immigration enforcement. BY adding to Article - Criminal Procedure Section 5-104.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume).

From the enrolled text, February 17, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting the State, a unit of local government, a county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent of the State or a unit of local government from entering into a certain immigration enforcement agreement; requiring the termination of an existing immigration enforcement agreement on or before a certain date; and generally relating to immigration enforcement. BY adding to Article - Criminal Procedure Section 5-104.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Procedure 5-104.1. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, "IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT" MEANS A CONTRACT, AN AGREEMENT, AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICE AGREEMENT, OR A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT AUTHORIZES THE STATE, A UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, A COUNTY SHERIFF, OR ANY AGENCY, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, OR AGENT OF THE STATE OR A UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE CIVIL IMMIGRATION LAW. (2) "IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT" INCLUDES AN AGREEMENT MADE IN ACCORDANCE (II) 8 U.S.C. § 1357; OR (III) ANY OTHER FEDERAL LAW. Ch. 2 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (B) THE STATE, A UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, A COUNTY SHERIFF, OR ANY AGENCY, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, OR AGENT OF THE STATE OR A …

Maryland HB444: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

What the bill says

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