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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0759*
HOUSE BILL 759
E2 6lr3308
By: Delegates Stinnett and Addison
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Judiciary
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Criminal Procedure – Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence – Repeal of 2
Sentencing Date Limitation 3
FOR the purpose of repealing a certain sentencing date limitation for an individual 4
convicted as an adult of an offense committed when the individual was a minor to 5
file a motion to reduce the duration of the sentence; and generally relating to a 6
motion to reduce duration of sentence. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Criminal Procedure 9
Section 8–110(a) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2025 Replacement Volume) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – Criminal Procedure 14
Section 8–110(b) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2025 Replacement Volume) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Criminal Procedure 20
8–110. 21
(a) This section applies only to an individual who: 22
2 HOUSE BILL 759
(1) (i) was convicted as an adult for an offense committed when the 1
individual was a minor[; 2
(ii) was sentenced for the offense before October 1, 2021]; and 3
[(iii)] (II) has been imprisoned for at least 20 years for the offense; 4
or 5
(2) (i) was convicted of an offense committed when the individual was 6
at least 18 years old but younger than 25 years old; 7
(ii) was not sentenced to life without the possibility of parole; 8
(iii) is not a sex offender, as defined in § 11–701 of this article; 9
(iv) has been imprisoned for at least 20 years for the offense; and 10
(v) was not convicted of murder involving a victim who was a first 11
responder, as defined in § 18 –213.2 of the Health – General Article, who was killed in the 12
line of duty. 13
(b) (1) An individual described in subsection (a) of this section may file a 14
motion with the court to reduce the duration of the sentence. 15
(2) A court shall conduct a hearing on a motion to reduce the duration of a 16
sentence. 17
(3) (i) The individual shall be present at the hearing, unless the 18
individual waives the right to be present. 19
(ii) The requirement that the individual be present at the hearing is 20
satisfied if the hearing is conducted by video conference. 21
(4) (i) The individual may introduce evidence in support of the motion 22
at the hearing. 23
(ii) The State may introduce evidence in support of or in opposition 24
to the motion at the hearing. 25
(5) (i) Notice of the hearing under this subsection shall be given to the 26
victim or the victim’s representative as provided in §§ 11–104 and 11–503 of this article. 27
(ii) A victim or victim’s representative m ay submit a victim impact 28
statement to the court regarding the impact of the crime and the proposed sentence 29
reduction. 30
HOUSE BILL 759 3
(iii) A victim may not be cross –examined when presenting a victim 1
impact statement under this section. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 3
October 1, 2026. 4