Bill
HB 501
HB 501 criminalizes sexual conduct by authority figures exploiting power imbalances with subordinates, expanding Maryland sexual offense law to cover broader workplace and institutional relationships.
HB 501 would expand Maryland's sexual offense laws to explicitly criminalize sexual conduct by individuals in positions of authority over victims, such as employers, supervisors, teachers, or other authority figures. The bill creates new criminal liability for those who abuse power dynamics to coerce or engage in sexual activity with subordinates or dependents.
Current Maryland law may have gaps in addressing sexual misconduct that exploits authority relationships, as existing statutes focus on specific categories (like teachers-students) but may not comprehensively cover all authority contexts. This bill would provide clearer legal recourse for victims and establish uniform standards across different professional and institutional settings where power imbalances enable abuse.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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