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HB 1198

Correctional Services - Comprehensive Rehabilitative Prerelease Services - Female Incarcerated Individuals (The Monica Cooper Prerelease Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 59 co-sponsors

HB 1198 mandates comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services for incarcerated women in Maryland to improve reentry outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Referred Judicial Proceedings Budget and Taxation
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Bill Summary · HB 1198

Legislative bill overview

HB 1198 establishes comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services specifically for incarcerated women in Maryland, named after Monica Cooper. The bill creates structured programs designed to facilitate successful reentry into the community through education, vocational training, mental health services, and other support mechanisms during the period before release.

Why is this important

Recidivism rates for women leaving incarceration remain significantly high, with inadequate reentry preparation contributing to cycles of reoffending. Targeted prerelease programming can measurably improve employment outcomes, housing stability, and family reintegration—ultimately reducing both human suffering and public costs associated with recommitment to the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Creating comprehensive services requires state budget allocation; lawmakers may debate whether this represents appropriate prioritization of limited correctional resources
  • Gender-specific approach: Some may question whether gender-specific programming is necessary versus system-wide reentry improvements for all incarcerated individuals
  • Implementation capacity: Maryland's correctional system will need infrastructure, staffing, and training to deliver these services effectively, raising questions about feasibility and timeline

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

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