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HB 847

Criminal Procedure - Domestic Violence Offender Registry

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Hill and 5 co-sponsors

Maryland bill establishing mandatory domestic violence offender registry to track convicted offenders for law enforcement and public safety purposes.

Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 847

Legislative bill overview

HB 847 would establish a domestic violence offender registry in Maryland, requiring individuals convicted of certain domestic violence offenses to register with state authorities. The bill creates a public or semi-public database to track offenders, similar to existing sex offender registries in many states.

Why is this important

Domestic violence affects thousands of Marylanders annually, and supporters argue a registry would help law enforcement identify repeat offenders and enable potential victims to access safety information. The bill represents a significant expansion of Maryland's criminal justice monitoring infrastructure and could influence how the state approaches domestic violence prevention and victim protection.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and collateral consequences: Registry requirements may create permanent stigma and barriers to employment, housing, and reintegration for individuals convicted of domestic violence, raising questions about proportionality and rehabilitation opportunities.
  • Scope and offense definitions: Disagreement likely exists over which domestic violence offenses qualify for mandatory registration, whether to include misdemeanors, and whether the list should expand over time.
  • Effectiveness and implementation: Questions remain about whether registries actually reduce recidivism for domestic violence offenders (research is mixed) and the fiscal cost of establishing and maintaining the database.

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

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