Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB501: Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Altering the penalty for a subsequent conviction of sexual offense by a person in a position of authority; prohibiting a certain person in a position of authority from committing a certain violation involving a child at least 6 years younger than the person in a position of authority; prohibiting a person who has been previously convicted of a certain crime from committing a certain violation; adding sexual offense by a person in a position of authority as a predicate crime for sexual solicitation of a minor; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for the misdemeanor penalty for a subsequent conviction of sexual offense by a person in a position of authority; prohibiting a certain person in a position of authority from committing a certain violation involving a child under a certain age; prohibiting a person who has been previously convicted of a certain crime from committing a certain violation…
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for the misdemeanor penalty for a subsequent conviction of sexual offense by a person in a position of authority; prohibiting a certain person in a position of authority from committing a certain violation involving a child under a certain age; prohibiting a person who has been previously convicted of a certain crime from committing a certain violation; adding sexual offense by a person in a position of authority as a predicate crime for sexual solicitation of a minor; altering the definitions of "tier I sex offender" and "tier III sex offender" as applicable to provisions relating to the sex offender registry; and generally relating to sexual crimes. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 3-308 and 3-324 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Criminal Law Section 3-308.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 11-701(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 11-701(o) and (q) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE …
Sponsors
- Sandy Bartlett (D, HD-032) · primary sponsor
- Dylan Behler (D, 30A)
- Elizabeth Embry (D, 43A)
- Kris Fair (D, 3)
- Susan McComas (R, HD-034B)
- Cheryl Pasteur (D, HD-011)
- Scott Phillips (D, HD-010)
- Andrew Pruski (D, HD-033)
- Stuart Schmidt (R, HD-033)
- Gary Simmons (D, 12B)
- Jamila Woods (D, HD-026)
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 426
- : Passed Enrolled
- : Third Reading Passed (128-0)
- : House Concurs Senate Amendments
- : Third Reading Passed (34-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {273425/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
- : Referred Judicial Proceedings
- : Third Reading Passed (131-0)
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (128-0) (April 11, 2026): 128 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (34-0) (April 9, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (131-0) (March 19, 2026): 131 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB501?
- HB501 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority.
- What does HB501 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for the misdemeanor penalty for a subsequent conviction of sexual offense by a person in a position of authority; prohibiting a certain person in a position of authority from committing a certain violation involving a child under a certain age; prohibiting a person who has been previously convicted of a certain crime from committing a certain violation…
- What is the status of HB501?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 426 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB501?
- Sandy Bartlett (D, HD-032), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB501?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0501?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.