Maryland Senate Bill 323 Juvenile Court – Jurisdiction, Detention & Confinement (Youth Charging Reform Act)

On March 4, 2026, the Maryland Legislature published the text of Senate Bill (SB) 323, the Youth Charging Reform Act. The bill pertains to jurisdiction, detention, and confinement of youth involved in the state Juvenile Court. This bill alters the jurisdiction of the juvenile court by repealing provisions specifying that the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a child alleged to have committed any crime punishable by life imprisonment; requiring an intake officer to authorize detention for a child that is at least 16 years old and is accused of certain crimes; altering and establishing certain provisions relating to . . .