Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB177: Criminal Law - Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Prohibiting a person from using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with or physically injure another while the other is lawfully exercising or attempting to lawfully exercise religious beliefs at a place of religious worship; and establishing that a violation of the Act is a misdemeanor with a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both on conviction.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Law - Interference With Access to or Egress From a Religious Facility Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person, acting alone or with others, from preventing another from entering or exiting a religious facility…
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Interference With Access to or Egress From a Religious Facility Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person, acting alone or with others, from preventing another from entering or exiting a religious facility; and generally relating to access to or egress from religious facilities person from using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with or physically injure another while the other is lawfully exercising or attempting to lawfully exercise religious beliefs at a place of religious worship; and generally relating to obstruction or interference with the exercise of religious beliefs. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 10-204 and 10-302 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Criminal Law Section 10-204.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 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 - Criminal Law 10-204. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) (i) "Medical facility" means: 1. a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health - General Article; or 2. a health care facility as defined in § 19-114 of the Health …
Sponsors
- Chris West (R, 42) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 425
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (119-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Judiciary
- : Referred Judiciary
- : Third Reading Passed (44-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments Adopted
- : Motion Special Order until 3/4 (Senator Kagan) Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (119-0) (April 3, 2026): 119 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (44-0) (March 6, 2026): 44 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB177?
- SB177 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Law - Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition.
- What does SB177 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Law - Interference With Access to or Egress From a Religious Facility Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person, acting alone or with others, from preventing another from entering or exiting a religious facility…
- What is the status of SB177?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 425 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB177?
- Chris West (R, 42).
- Where is the official record for SB177?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0177?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.