ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Update on bills reported on in previous issues of RSC:
None of the bills that would change the way that Circuit Court Judges are selected came out of committee. It is expected that these bills, all Constitutional Amendments, will be brought up again in the next session. The League presented written testimony in support of these bills.
HB 582/SB 367 Circuit Court Judges - Selection, Qualifications, and Term of Office (RSC-2) unfavorable report, JUD, no further action on Senate bill.
HB 548 Circuit Court Judges - Elections (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD - withdrawn
SB 679 Election of Circuit Court Judges - Nonpartisan General Election (RSC-3) unfavorable report JPR - withdrawn
HB 1071 Circuit Court Judges - Election, Qualifications and Term of Office (RSC-4) unfavorable report JUD - withdrawn
A number of bills were introduced dealing with the accountability of law enforcement officers involved in the injury or death of persons. None survived committee consideration.
HB 112/SB 653 Criminal Procedure - Police-Involved Death - State Prosecutor (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD; unfavorable report JPR - withdrawn
HB 365 Criminal Procedure - Felony Prosecution of Law Enforcement Officer (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD
HB 438 Criminal Procedure - State Prosecutor - Use of Force by Law Enforcement Officer (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD - withdrawn
HB 813 State Prosecutor - Law Enforcement Officer-Involved Deaths (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD
HB 308 Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Video Cameras (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD
HB 627/SB 482 Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Body-Worn Cameras (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD
Action on other bills:
HB 111/SB 332 Judgeships - Circuit Courts and District Courts (RSC-2) passed House with amendment making it contingent on funding of at least $2,049,500 in FY 2016 State budget. In Senate, first reading 3/18 JPR
HB 346 Altering References from Master to Magistrate (RSC-2) passed House with amendments continuing pensions. In Senate Hrg 3/26, 1 p.m. JPR
HB 1013 Constitutional Amendment - Orphans’ Court Judges - Election and Term Limits (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD - withdrawn
HB 596 Criminal Procedure -Maryland Appointed Attorneys Program Corporation (RSC-3) unfavorable report JUD - withdrawn
HB 121 Criminal Procedure - Drug Related Offenses - Repeal of Mandatory Minimum Sentences (RSC-3) passed House with amendments. In Senate Hrg. 4/1, 1 p.m. JPR
SB 847 Judges - Mandatory Retirement Age (RSC-4) passed Senate with amendments. In House Hrg. 4/2, 1 p.m. JUD
Marlene Cohn