New Maryland Laws Starting October 1st, 2023

Concealed Carry-Restricted Areas: “While lawmakers this year removed the “good and substantial reason” language from Maryland law that the Supreme Court found unconstitutional, Maryland is tightening gun laws to prevent someone from carrying a concealed handgun in certain areas. For example, the law will generally prohibit a person from wearing, carrying or transporting a gun in an “area for children or vulnerable adults,” like a school or health care facility.” (Per the Associated Press)

Police Prosecutions: “Maryland’s attorney general will have independent authority to bring criminal charges against police officers after investigating deaths when officers are involved. The law is an expansion on a package of police reforms approved two years ago in response to concerns about police accountability after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.” (per WBAL)

Child Victims Act: “After years of halting progress, survivors of child sexual abuse will now have a greatly expanded ability to file civil lawsuits against institutions that employed or enabled their abusers. Much of the focus has been on the Catholic Church, but other organizations that may face lawsuits include schools, camps and youth organizations.” (Per the Baltimore Banner)

Drug Policy Changes: “As of Oct. 1, hospitals will be required to conduct tests for fentanyl when doing urine screenings to assess a patient’s condition. If a urine drug screening detects fentanyl, the anonymous results will be reported to the Maryland Department of Health.” (per WTOP)

Spousal Defense: “Starting on Oct.1, the state will repeal the “spousal defense” – a provision in the law that prohibited someone from being prosecuted for rape or other sexual crimes against their legal spouse.” (Per DCist)

Jaelynn’s Law: “Maryland is requiring greater storage requirements for firearms. Under the law, a person can’t store a loaded firearm in a place where the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor has access to a gun. It’s known as Jaelynn’s Law and is named after 16-year-old Jaelynn Willey, who was killed in 2018 at Great Mills High School by a 17-year-old student who used his father’s gun.” (Per AP News)

Protections for victims of violent or hate crimes: “A bill going into effect on Oct. 1 will prohibit incarcerated people from contacting and going to the residence or workplace of their accuser if they were accused of sexual crimes involving children, violent crimes, or stalking, among others. Under another bill, victims of hate crimes will be able to sue the person or group who committed the offense against them.” (per DCist)

Gun Licensing: “A separate law changes and expands requirements and procedures that relate to the issuance and renewal of a permit to wear, carry or transport a handgun. It is facing a federal court challenge in a combined case with the other concealed carry law. The statute raises the age for qualifying for a handgun permit from 18 to 21, which has come under court challenge in other parts of the country. It also prohibits a permit for someone who is on supervised probation for a crime punishable by up to one year or more in prison, a person convicted of driving while impaired or under the influence, and people who violate a protective order. People with a mental illness who have a history of violent behavior also would be prohibited from carrying a gun, as well as people who have been involuntarily admitted for more than 30 days to a mental health facility.” (per WBAL)

Additional bills passed by both chambers can be found here.