Bill
HB 805
HB 805 creates a state mail/package theft offense with graduated penalties, harsher for arrow-key use/possession, and lets district courts handle felony mail-theft cases.
Status (key dates)
- Hearing: 2/18 at 11:00 a.m. (as noted)
- Introduced: (Maryland) Jan. 29, 2025 (sponsors: Del. Solomon, Kaufman, Shetty); cross-file SB 410
- Fiscal note published: Feb. 5, 2025
- Fiscal/legal status: Committee consideration; District Court jurisdiction provision included
Purpose / intent
- Create a focused state offense framework for theft of mail and packages, with graduated penalties tied to the number of items stolen and stiffer penalties when an “arrow key” is used or possessed to facilitate theft.
- Replace and modernize an older misdemeanor offense for “taking and breaking open a letter” with clearer prohibitions on opening mail addressed to another person without permission.
Key definitions (selected)
- “Mail”: an item that has been or is intended to be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or a common carrier/delivery service to the person whose address appears on the item (includes addressed letters, postal cards, packages).
- “Arrow key”: a key designed exclusively to allow a postal or delivery employee to access a mailbox or other depository used to store mail.
Principal provisions and penalties
- Theft of mail (amendment to general theft statute for mail-specific conduct):
- 1–15 items: misdemeanor — up to 6 months imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- 16 or more items: felony — up to 2 years imprisonment and/or up to $2,000 fine.
- Theft using an arrow key:
- Felony — up to 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $5,000 fine.
- Possession of an arrow key with intent to use it (or allow use) to commit mail theft:
- Felony — up to 3 years imprisonment and/or up to $3,000 fine.
- Opening mail addressed to another (replaces old statute about taking and breaking open a letter):
- Misdemeanor — up to 1 month imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- Sentencing: A sentence for a mail-theft or arrow-key offense may be imposed consecutively to or concurrently with sentences for other crimes arising from the same acts.
Jurisdiction and enforcement
- District Court will have concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts for felony mail-theft and arrow-key offenses (enables prosecution in either forum depending on facts/procedural posture).
- The bill coordinates with existing federal offenses (18 U.S.C. §1708 and related provisions) but establishes state-level criminal remedies and penalties.
Who is affected
- Individuals who steal mail or packages, persons who possess or use arrow keys to facilitate such thefts, and potential victims (residents, businesses receiving mail and packages).
- State and local prosecutors and courts (new jurisdictional rules); limited operational effects on public defender/offender caseloads per fiscal analysis.
Fiscal / practical impact
- Department of Legislative Services fiscal note: no material effect on State or local finances or operations anticipated; expected caseload impacts are minimal/absorbable.
- Federal statutes criminalizing mail theft remain enforceable; this bill provides complementary state-level causes of action and penalties.
Relation to other legislation
- Companion / related bills referenced (SB 410 / prior-session SB 373). The bill modernizes and supplements existing theft statutes rather than relying solely on broader general-theft provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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