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SB 752

Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Malcolm Augustine and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland establishes commission to investigate and report on racial disparities across arrest, prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration within the state criminal justice system.

Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 752

Legislative bill overview

SB 752 establishes a commission tasked with reviewing and assessing racial disparities within Maryland's criminal justice system. The commission would examine patterns of differential treatment, sentencing, incarceration, and outcomes across racial groups to identify systemic inequities and develop recommendations for reform.

Why is this important

Racial disparities in criminal justice—including arrest rates, sentencing length, and incarceration—are well-documented nationally and affect community trust in legal institutions. Maryland data would provide state-specific evidence to inform policy decisions about policing, prosecution, sentencing, and rehabilitation programs that could affect thousands of residents and future legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and scope: Questions about the commission's budget, staffing, timeline, and whether it has sufficient authority to access sensitive criminal justice data from courts, police departments, and corrections agencies
  • Implementation without solutions: Concerns that a review commission produces recommendations without guaranteed legislative action, potentially resulting in a report that is shelved without reform
  • Framing and bias: Disagreement over whether the commission's mandate assumes disparities exist (requiring investigation) or presumes they do (framing the outcome), and whether the composition of commission members reflects diverse perspectives

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

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