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HB 788

Criminal Law - Theft - Mail and Packages (Porch Piracy Act of 2026)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Conaway

Maryland bill establishing enhanced criminal penalties and specific offense category for theft of packages and mail left at residential locations.

Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 788

Legislative bill overview

HB 788 creates new criminal penalties specifically targeting theft of mail and packages left on residential porches, driveways, or similar delivery locations. The bill establishes "porch piracy" as a distinct offense with enhanced penalties compared to general theft statutes, and likely includes provisions for restitution to victims and carrier companies.

Why is this important

Package theft costs Americans billions annually and has become increasingly common with the rise of e-commerce and doorstep delivery. Victims often struggle to recover losses, and creating a specific statute allows prosecutors to pursue these crimes more effectively while potentially serving as a deterrent through enhanced penalties.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement challenges: Defining "porch piracy" boundaries—does it apply only to residential properties, or also apartments and commercial locations? How will authorities distinguish between abandoned packages and legitimate retrieval?
  • Sentencing disparity concerns: Enhanced penalties for package theft versus traditional theft of equivalent value may raise questions about proportionality and whether this creates two-tiered theft laws
  • Collaboration requirements: The bill may impose obligations on delivery companies to cooperate with law enforcement or implement security measures, raising questions about cost allocation and corporate responsibility versus homeowner responsibility

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

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