Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB465: Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Providing that during the trial of a criminal case in which a defendant is charged with an assault in the second degree, a certain statement is not excluded by the hearsay rule if the statement is offered against a party that has engaged in, directed, or conspired to commit wrongdoing that was intended to and did procure the unavailability of the declarant of the statement, under certain circumstances.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree FOR the purpose of providing that under certain circumstances a certain statement made by a certain declarant is not excluded by the hearsay rule during the trial of a criminal case in which the defendant is charged with assault in the second degree; and generally relating to the admission of out-of-court statements…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree FOR the purpose of providing that under certain circumstances a certain statement made by a certain declarant is not excluded by the hearsay rule during the trial of a criminal case in which the defendant is charged with assault in the second degree; and generally relating to the admission of out-of-court statements. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 10-901 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 10-901. (a) During the trial of a criminal case in which the defendant is charged with a felony OR AN ASSAULT IN THE SECOND DEGREE, a statement as defined in Maryland Rule 5-801(a) is not excluded by the hearsay rule if the statement is offered against a party that has engaged in, directed, or conspired to commit wrongdoing that was intended to and did procure the unavailability of the declarant of the statement, as defined in Maryland Rule 5-804. (b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, before admitting a statement under this section, the court shall hold a hearing outside the presence …
Sponsors
- Mary James (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Justin Ready (R, 5)
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 529
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (115-2)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Judiciary
- : Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Judiciary
- : Third Reading Passed (38-5)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (115-2) (April 3, 2026): 115 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (38-5) (March 23, 2026): 38 yea, 5 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB465?
- SB465 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree.
- What does SB465 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Procedure - Admission of Out-of-Court Statements - Assault in the Second Degree FOR the purpose of providing that under certain circumstances a certain statement made by a certain declarant is not excluded by the hearsay rule during the trial of a criminal case in which the defendant is charged with assault in the second degree; and generally relating to the admission of out-of-court statements…
- What is the status of SB465?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 529 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB465?
- Mary James (D, 34), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB465?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0465?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.