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Bill

SB 284

Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Hours of Operation Violations - Civil Penalties

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cory McCray

SB 284 allows Baltimore City to impose civil fines on alcoholic beverage establishments for operating hour violations, replacing criminal prosecution with faster administrative penalties.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 826
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Bill Summary · SB 284

Legislative bill overview

SB 284 modifies Baltimore City's enforcement mechanisms for alcoholic beverage violations by establishing civil penalties for businesses that operate outside permitted hours. Previously, violations were handled through criminal or administrative processes; this bill creates an alternative civil penalty framework that allows the city to impose fines without criminal prosecution.

Why is this important

This change affects thousands of bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Baltimore by shifting how the city enforces operating hour regulations. The civil penalty approach is typically faster and less burdensome than criminal prosecution, but it also lowers the procedural protections businesses would receive in criminal court and may increase the frequency of enforcement actions.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement discretion: Civil penalties bypass criminal due process protections, raising concerns about whether businesses have adequate opportunity to challenge violations or whether enforcement becomes inconsistent across neighborhoods
  • Economic impact on small businesses: Repeated civil fines could disproportionately burden small family-owned establishments compared to larger corporations with compliance departments
  • Revenue generation concerns: Critics may question whether the civil penalty system is designed primarily for compliance or as a revenue source for the city, particularly given Baltimore's fiscal pressures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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