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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland grants three Baltimore City offices access to confidential juvenile records under strict conditions
Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 733Sponsor: Mary Washington
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What This Bill Does
Maryland law is amended to allow three specific Baltimore City Mayor's offices to access and confidentially use juvenile police and court records when providing programs, services, or treatment plans to a child. Before gaining access, the offices must execute a written and obtain express written consent from the child's parent or guardian. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and expires after five years on September 30, 2031.
Local municipal agencies gain the legal authority to view sensitive juvenile delinquency histories to coordinate care and rehabilitation, while facing direct liability if those private records are leaked. The data-sharing framework expires automatically after five years unless renewed.
- Juvenile police and court records in Maryland are traditionally maintained under strict confidentiality to protect minors, subject to limited exceptions for criminal justice agencies and courts. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
Gains legal authority to access confidential juvenile records subject to executing an MOU and obtaining parental consent.
Department of Juvenile Services
Must establish written memoranda of understanding and coordinate record sharing with Baltimore City municipal offices.
Parents and guardians of juveniles receiving services
Must provide express written consent before municipal offices can access their child's confidential records.
Key Facts
- Three specific Baltimore City Mayor's offices are granted access to confidential juvenile police and court records when providing services and treatment plans to a child.
- Access to police and court records requires a written memorandum of understanding with the disclosing agency or Department of Juvenile Services.
- Access to records requires express written consent in a single document from the parent or guardian of the child.
- The specified Baltimore City offices are strictly liable for any unauthorized release of accessed police and court records.
Show all 7 facts
- MOUs regarding court records must identify specific records to be shared, define the purpose, limit use, prohibit redisclosure, and ensure compliance with confidentiality laws.
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
- The provisions expire after 5 years on September 30, 2031, without requiring further action by the General Assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which specific offices in Baltimore City are granted access to juvenile records?
What requirements must be met before these Baltimore City offices can view a juvenile's records?
What happens if a Baltimore City office unlawfully releases a juvenile record?
Is this data-sharing authority permanent?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
15 actions- May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 733
- Apr 10, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 10, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (95-35)
- Apr 8, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 8, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Judiciary
- Apr 2, 2026HouseHearing 4/02 at 2:00 p.m.
Show 9 earlier actions
- Apr 2, 2026HouseHearing canceled
- Mar 26, 2026HouseHearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Judiciary
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (39-0)
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFavorable with Amendments { 133926/1 Adopted
- Mar 20, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
- Feb 5, 2026SenateHearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 4, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Municipal Access to Confidential Juvenile Records
The law carves out an explicit exception allowing local municipal executive offices to access confidential juvenile records for program coordination.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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