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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0935*
HOUSE BILL 935
E5 EMERGENCY BILL 6lr1153
HB 1198/25 – JUD CF SB 187
By: Delegates Crutchfield, Ruff, Acevero, Addison, Allen, Alston, Amprey ,
Bartlett, Bhandari, Boafo, Bouchat, Boyce, Cardin, Charkoudian, Ciliberti,
Coley, Conaway, Cullison, Davis, Embry, Fair, Fennell, Foley, Forbes,
Fraser–Hidalgo, Guyton, Guzzone, Harrison, Hill, Holmes, Hornberger,
Ivey, A. Johnson, S. Johnson, D. Jones, Kaiser, Kaufman, Korman, Lehman,
Lewis, J. Long, Lopez, Martinez, McCaskill, Mireku –North,
Palakovich Carr, Pasteur, Patterson, Phillips, Pruski, Qi, Queen, Roberson,
Roberts, Rogers, Ross, Ruth, Sample –Hughes, Schmidt, Shetty, Simmons,
Simpson, Smith, Sol omon, Spiegel, Stein, Stewart, Stinnett, Taveras,
Taylor, Terrasa, Toles, Turner, Valderrama, Vogel, Watson, Wells,
White Holland, Wilkins, Williams, Wims, Wolek, Woods, Woorman, Wu,
Young, and Ziegler
Introduced and read first time: February 5, 2026
Assigned to: Judiciary
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Correctional Services – Comprehensive Rehabilitative Prerelease Services – 2
Female Incarcerated Individuals 3
FOR the purpose of altering the required specifications for a certain prerelease facil ity for 4
female incarcerated individuals; requiring the Department of General Services to 5
direct certain procurement processes for the construction of a certain prerelease 6
facility for female incarcerated individuals; requiring the Commissioner of 7
Correction to make certain services available to certain female incarcerated 8
individuals; requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to 9
implement certain comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services by a certain 10
date; requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to report 11
certain information to certain legislative committees; requiring the Office of the 12
Correctional Ombudsman to review and verify the Department of Public Safety and 13
Correctional Services’ compliance with this Act and report certain information to 14
certain legislative committees; and generally relating to comprehensive 15
rehabilitative prerelease services for female incarcerated individuals. 16
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – Correctional Services 18
Section 3–301 and 3–303 19
2 HOUSE BILL 935
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2025 Replacement Volume) 2
BY adding to 3
Article – Correctional Services 4
Section 3–301.1 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2025 Replacement Volume) 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 9
Article – Correctional Services 10
3–301. 11
(a) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner shall operate a 12
comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease unit for women that: 13
(1) is a separate structure in which the services specified in § 3 –303(b) of 14
this subtitle are provided; 15
(2) has security features for female incarcerated individuals who: 16
(i) present the least risk of violence; 17
(ii) present the least risk of escape; and 18
(iii) have a record of satisfactory institutional behavior; and 19
(3) matches security level on a validated gender–responsive risk measure. 20
(b) [(1) In determining where to place a prerelease unit for women, the 21
Commissioner shall determine into which area, defined by zip codes, the largest percentage 22
of incarcerated individuals will likely be released. 23
(2)] A prerelease unit for women shall be: 24
(1) located in [or adjacent to the zip codes identified in paragraph (1) of this 25
subsection] BALTIMORE CITY ON A SITE THAT IS: 26
(I) NOT LESS THAN 3 ACRES IN LAND AREA; AND 27
(II) NOT LOCATED WITHIN A 1–MILE RADIUS OF ANY E XISTING 28
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY; AND 29
HOUSE BILL 935 3
(2) ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE ADMINISTRATION , HOUSING, 1
PROGRAMMING, AND SERVICES REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE FOR NOT FEWER 2
THAN 1.25 TIMES THE NUMBER OF WOMEN AT T HE MARYLAND CORRECTIONAL 3
INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FO R PRERELEASE STATUS IN 4
CALENDAR YEAR 2024, AS REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS OCTOBER 2024 5
REPORT TO THE SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE 6
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. 7
(c) An incarcerated individual assigned to a prerelease unit for women may have 8
access to the community for any purpose described in § 3–305(a) of this subtitle. 9
(d) The Department shall: 10
(1) identify a location, acquire property, and design a site plan for the 11
prerelease unit for women on or before June 1, 2021; 12
(2) begin construction or renovation of the facility on or before September 13
1, 2021; and 14
(3) begin operating and providing services in the facility on or before June 15
1, 2023. 16
3–301.1. 17
(A) ON REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL 18
SERVICES SHALL: 19
(1) REVIEW AND EVALUATE ANY PROPOSALS CURREN TLY IN 20
POSSESSION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE FACILITY 21
REQUIREMENTS IN § 3–301 OF THIS SUBTITLE BY JUNE 1, 2026; 22
(2) IF NO CURRENT PROPOSAL EVALUATED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS 23
SUBSECTION SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 3–301 OF THIS SUBTITLE, IN 24
ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPEDITED PROCUREMENT PROCESS UNDER § 13–108 OF 25
THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, ISSUE A REQUEST FOR 26
PROPOSALS FOR THE PL ANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PRERELEASE 27
UNIT FOR WOMEN, AS REQUIRED UNDER § 3–301 OF THIS SUBTITLE, BY AUGUST 1, 28
2026; 29
(3) REVIEW AND EVALUATE PROPOSALS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 30
DEPARTMENT; AND 31
(4) AWARD A CONTRACT TO A PROVIDER AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. 32
4 HOUSE BILL 935
(B) A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL S ISSUED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A) OF THIS 1
SECTION SHALL ACCURA TELY AND COMPLETELY DESCRIBE, TO THE EXT ENT 2
PRACTICABLE, THE LOCATION, USES, AND TIMELINE FOR DEL IVERABLES TOWARD 3
COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT. 4
(C) THE CONTRACT AWARDED UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(4) OF THIS SECTION 5
TO BUILD A PRERELEASE UNIT FOR FEMALE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS SHALL: 6
(1) COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN § 3–301 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 7
AND 8
(2) INCLUDE: 9
(I) HOUSING UNITS WITH DOUBLE AND SINGLE OCCUPANCY; 10
(II) HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE ROOMS , WHEELCHAIR RAMPS, 11
AND DESIGNATED HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES; 12
(III) BATHROOMS THAT MAXIM IZE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND 13
SECURITY OF RESIDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS; 14
(IV) ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES; 15
(V) INDOOR AND OUTDOOR M EETING, LOUNGE, AND VISITING 16
SPACES; 17
(VI) A CLASSROOM; 18
(VII) A CAREER CENTER; 19
(VIII) A NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL SUITE; 20
(IX) ON–SITE RECREATIONAL , CREATIVE, AND ATHLETIC 21
FACILITIES; AND 22
(X) ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. 23
3–303. 24
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 25
(2) “ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL” MEANS AN INCARCERATE D INDIVIDUAL 26
WITH PRERELEASE STATUS AT THE MARYLAND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR 27
WOMEN. 28
HOUSE BILL 935 5
(3) “Evidence–based programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 1
6–119 of this article. 2
(4) “GENDER–RESPONSIVE SERVICES ” MEANS PROGRAMS THAT 3
RECOGNIZE THE SPECIF IC NEEDS OF INCARCERATED WOMEN IN PRERELEASE 4
STATUS REGARDING THE IR PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELO PMENT, SOCIALIZATION, 5
CULTURE, EXPOSURE TO TRAUMA , AND LIFE EXPERIENCES , TO REDUCE 6
CRIMINOGENIC RISKS A ND SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL R EENTRY, RECOVERY, AND 7
RECIDIVISM REDUCTION. 8
[(3)] (5) “Innovative programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 9
6–119 of this article. 10
(b) (1) The Commissioner shall make evidence –based and gender–responsive 11
services available to female incarcerated individuals [at the prerelease unit for women 12
required under § 3–301 of this subtitle] WITH PRERELEASE STATUS. 13
(2) THE SERVICES REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL BE 14
PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS BEFORE T HE FINAL CONSTRUCTIO N AND 15
OCCUPATION OF THE FACILITY REQUIRED UNDER § 3–301 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 16
(c) The comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services shall utilize 17
evidence–based programs and practices and innovative programs and practices to: 18
(1) assist female incarcerated individuals in improving their education, 19
upgrading vocational skills, and obtaining suitable employment through classes to earn 20
industry certification or community college credits, workforce training, and job placement; 21
(2) provide female incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to 22
strengthen family and community relationships through extended family leave, parenting 23
workshops, and family reunification assistance; 24
(3) provide integrative and gender–responsive services, including medical 25
treatment, trauma –informed counseling, mental health treatment, an d substance use 26
disorder treatment to address overall health and trauma needs and help female 27
incarcerated individuals achieve stable and productive roles in society; and 28
(4) develop individualized and comprehensive reentry plans involving 29
community provider partnerships for female incarcerated individuals to reduce barriers to 30
obtaining housing, jobs, education, health care, childcare and child welfare, transportation, 31
legal advocacy, case management, and other needs. 32
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A PLAN TO PROVIDE 33
COMPREHENSIVE GENDER –RESPONSIVE SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDU ALS 34
6 HOUSE BILL 935
ON–SITE AT THE MARYLAND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN ON OR 1
BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2026. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before July 1, 2026, the 3
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall provide a preliminary report 4
on the progress the Department has made to comply with Section 1 of this Act, including 5
any specific steps taken and dates on which specific steps were taken to the Senate Judicial 6
Proceedings Committee, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Judiciary 7
Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the 8
State Government Article. 9
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before September 1, 10
2026, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Department of 11
General Services shall provide an update on the progress of design and construction of the 12
prerelease unit for women to the Senate Judicial Proceed ings Committee, the Senate 13
Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House 14
Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 15
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 16
(a) On or before D ecember 1, 2026, the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman 17
established under Title 9, Subtitle 40 of the State Government Article shall review and 18
verify the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ progress and submit a 19
report, including find ings and recommendations, to the Senate Judicial Proceedings 20
Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 21
Government Article. 22
(b) The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall fully 23
cooperate with the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman and provide all information, data, 24
and facility access requested to complete the review required under this section. 25
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 26
measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 27
been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three –fifths of all the members elected to 28
each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 29
enacted. 30