Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB512: Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Increasing the penalties for stalking to a period of imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to $10,000 or both if the victim had a protective order in effect against the defendant at the time of the offense or the defendant had previously been convicted of stalking.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for stalking under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the crime of stalking. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 3-802 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for stalking under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the crime of stalking. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 3-802 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 3-802. (a) In this section: (1) "stalking" means a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where: (i) the person intends to place or knows or reasonably should have known the conduct would place another in reasonable B. of an assault in any degree; C. of rape or sexual offense as defined by §§ 3-303 through 3-308 of this title or attempted rape or sexual offense in any degree; D. of false imprisonment; or E. of death; or 2. that a third person likely will suffer any of the acts listed in item 1 of this item; or (ii) the person intends to cause or knows or reasonably should have Ch. 429 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND known that the conduct would cause serious emotional distress to another; and (2) "stalking" includes conduct described in item (1) of this subsection that (ii) by electronic …
Sponsors
- William Smith (D) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 429
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (134-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Judiciary
- : Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Judiciary
- : Third Reading Passed (45-0)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (134-0) (April 13, 2026): 134 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (45-0) (March 19, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB512?
- SB512 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties.
- What does SB512 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for stalking under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the crime of stalking. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 3-802 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
- What is the status of SB512?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 429 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB512?
- William Smith (D).
- Where is the official record for SB512?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0512?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.