Maryland Changes Laws On Charging Juveniles As Adults: 16- & 17-Year-Olds Will Go To Juvenile Court First

Newly signed legislation in Maryland, Senate Bill 323, the Youth Charging Reform Act, significantly narrows the list of offenses for which 16- and 17-year-olds can be automatically charged as adults, instead routing most cases through the juvenile court system first. The legislation also establishes new protections governing where and how children may be detained, and creates new reporting requirements to track the impact of the changes.

Senate Bill 323 was introduced on January 22, 2026, and signed into law on May 26, 2026. Most provisions take effect October 1, 2026, with some detention-related provisions delayed until October . . .