Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB449: Juvenile Justice Restoration Act
Status: Failed, February 23, 2026
Altering a certain provision of law authorizing a law enforcement officer to conduct an otherwise lawful custodial interrogation of a child if the child's parent, guardian, or custodian consents to the custodial interrogation of the child without the child's consultation with an attorney.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Juvenile Justice Restoration Act FOR the purpose of altering a certain provision of law authorizing a law enforcement officer to conduct an otherwise lawful custodial interrogation of a child under certain circumstances; and generally relating to juvenile law. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-8A-14.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Juvenile Justice Restoration Act FOR the purpose of altering a certain provision of law authorizing a law enforcement officer to conduct an otherwise lawful custodial interrogation of a child under certain circumstances; and generally relating to juvenile law. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-8A-14.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3-8A-14.2. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Custodial interrogation" retains its judicially determined meaning. (3) (i) "Law enforcement officer" has the meaning stated in § 1-101 of the Public Safety Article. (ii) "Law enforcement officer" includes a school resource officer, as defined in § 7-1501 of the Education Article. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0449* HOUSE BILL (b) A law enforcement officer may not conduct a custodial interrogation of a child until: (1) The child has consulted with an attorney who or (ii) Provided by the Office of the Public Defender; and (2) The law enforcement officer has made an effort reasonably calculated to give actual …
Sponsors
- Stuart Schmidt (R, HD-033) · primary sponsor
- Christopher Adams (R, HD-037B)
- Kevin Anderson (R, HD-038)
- Steven Arentz (R, HD-036)
- Terry Baker (R, 1C)
- Barry Beauchamp (R, 38B)
- Jason Buckel (R, HD-001B)
- Barrie Ciliberti (R, HD-004)
- Jeff Ghrist (R, HD-036)
- Michael Griffith (R, HD-035B)
- Wayne Hartman (R, HD-038C)
- Jim Hinebaugh (R, HD-001)
Latest actions
- : Unfavorable Report by Judiciary
- : Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Judiciary
Common questions
- What is HB449?
- HB449 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Juvenile Justice Restoration Act.
- What does HB449 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Juvenile Justice Restoration Act FOR the purpose of altering a certain provision of law authorizing a law enforcement officer to conduct an otherwise lawful custodial interrogation of a child under certain circumstances; and generally relating to juvenile law. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-8A-14.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
- What is the status of HB449?
- Failed as of February 23, 2026. Latest action: Unfavorable Report by Judiciary (February 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB449?
- Stuart Schmidt (R, HD-033), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB449?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0449?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.