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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0962*
SENATE BILL 962
P1, P4 6lr3295
By: Senators Kagan, Ferguson, Attar, Augustine, Beidle, Benson, Brooks, Charles,
Ellis, Feldman, Gile, Guzzone, Harris, Hayes, Henson, Hester, Hettleman,
Jackson, James, King, Kramer, Lam, Love, McCray, Muse, Rosapepe, Smith,
Sydnor, Waldstreicher, A. Washington, M. Washington, Watson,
Lewis Young, and Zucker
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
January 6th Insurrectionists – Prohibition on Service in Certain Government 2
Roles 3
FOR the purpose of prohibiting individuals convicted of certain crime s in relation to the 4
attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 , from serving in certain 5
government roles; requiring an appointing authority to take certain actions to 6
remove or terminate the employment of an individual serving in a role in violation 7
of this Act; and generally relating to individuals convicted of crimes in relation to the 8
attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. 9
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
Article – State Government 11
Section 10–1701(d) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14
BY adding to 15
Article – State Government 16
Section 10–1703 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19
Preamble 20
WHEREAS, On January 6, 2021, a violent mob, incited by false claims of a stolen 21
election, attacked the United States Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer 22
of presidential power guaranteed by the United States Constitution; and 23
2 SENATE BILL 962
WHEREAS, The January 6th attack represented an unprecedented assault on 1
American democracy, resulting in significant injuries and death to courageous law 2
enforcement officers; and 3
WHEREAS, Individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection 4
engaged in violent, lawless, and seditious actions that deliberately sought to subver t our 5
democracy, intimidate government officials, and flout constitutional norms; and 6
WHEREAS, Public service in the State of Maryland requires fidelity to the United 7
States Constitution, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to protecting the 8
integrity of government institutions against threats, both foreign and domestic; and 9
WHEREAS, Public service is a privilege, and allowing individuals convicted of 10
crimes in relation to the January 6th attack to hold positions of public trust would threaten 11
the functioning of government, undermine public confidence, and place the authority of the 12
State in the hands of those who have already sought to violently overthrow lawful 13
institutions; now, therefore, 14
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY O F MARYLAND, 15
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16
Article – State Government 17
10–1701. 18
(d) (1) Except as provided in [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of this 19
subsection, an individual or entity that appointed a member may remove or suspend the 20
member in accordance with subsection (c) of this section only after: 21
(i) consultation with the chair of the board, committee, commission, 22
task force, or workgroup; and 23
(ii) the member has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard 24
regarding the reason for removal or suspension. 25
(2) The requirements of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection do not apply if 26
the member being removed or suspended is the chair of the board, committee, commission, 27
task force, or workgroup. 28
(3) THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION DO 29
NOT APPLY IF THE MEM BER IS SUBJECT TO REMOVAL U NDER § 10–1703 OF THIS 30
SUBTITLE. 31
10–1703. 32
SENATE BILL 962 3
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO AN INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN 1
RELATION TO THE ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021, 2
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PARDONED. 3
(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO AN INDIVIDUAL SERVING ON: 4
(1) A STANDING COMMITTEE , AS DEFINED IN § 2–101 OF THIS 5
ARTICLE; OR 6
(2) A COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE. 7
(C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, AN INDIVIDUAL 8
CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN RELATION TO THE A TTACK ON THE UNITED STATES 9
CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021, MAY NOT SERVE: 10
(1) ON A BOARD , COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, TASK FORCE , OR 11
WORKGROUP CREATED BY STATE LAW; 12
(2) IN THE EXECUTIVE SERVICE OF STATE GOVERNMENT, AS DEFINED 13
IN § 6–404 OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE; OR 14
(3) IN A POSITION CATEGORIZED AS A SPECIAL APPOINTMENT UNDER 15
§ 6–405 OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE. 16
(D) IF AN APPOINTING AUTH ORITY DETERMINES THA T AN INDIVIDUAL IS 17
SERVING IN A ROLE IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY 18
SHALL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMOVE OR TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF 19
THE INDIVIDUAL. 20
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 21
1, 2026. 22