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HB 269

Criminal Law - Petty Theft - Statute of Limitations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Conaway

HB 269 adjusts Maryland's petty theft statute of limitations, affecting how long prosecutors have to charge these offenses and impacting enforcement timelines statewide.

Hearing 1/21 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 269

Legislative bill overview

HB 269 modifies Maryland's criminal law regarding petty theft by adjusting the statute of limitations for prosecuting these offenses. The bill was introduced by Delegate Frank Conaway and is currently in the Judiciary Committee with a hearing scheduled for January 21, 2025. The specific details of what timeline changes are proposed are not provided in the available legislative record.

Why is this important

Statutes of limitations directly affect how long law enforcement and prosecutors have to bring charges against someone for a crime. Changes to these timelines can impact victims' ability to seek justice, defendants' right to a speedy trial, and the practical resources available to prosecutors. For petty theft—a common, frequently-prosecuted offense—any modification affects enforcement patterns across the state and potentially thousands of cases.

Potential points of contention

  • Victim vs. defendant interests: Extending limitations periods may help victims but could allow prosecution years after alleged incidents, making evidence stale and defense more difficult
  • Prosecutorial resources: Shortened timelines could ease caseloads but may allow criminals to escape prosecution; extended timelines increase investigative burden
  • Consistency concerns: Petty theft changes may raise questions about whether similar adjustments should apply to other crimes, creating piecemeal statute of limitations law

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

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