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Bill

SB 315

Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Adverse Actions and Removal From Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) System

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Waldstreicher

Maryland bill requires deletion of expunged records from court databases and prohibits employers and agencies from using expunged convictions against individuals.

Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 315

Legislative bill overview

SB 315 modifies Maryland's expungement procedures to require the removal of expunged records from the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system and establishes protections against adverse actions taken based on expunged convictions. The bill addresses both the digital deletion of records and prevents employers, licensing boards, and other entities from using expunged convictions against individuals in hiring, licensing, or other decisions.

Why is this important

Expungement is meant to give individuals a "second chance" by legally erasing certain convictions from their record, but digital systems often retain this information even after legal expungement. This creates a practical barrier to reemployment and reintegration. The bill closes a gap where expunged records could still be accessible through court databases, undermining the intent of expungement laws.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Requiring systematic removal from MDEC may require significant IT resources and technical modifications to Maryland's court system infrastructure
  • Public access vs. privacy: Balancing legitimate expungement privacy rights against transparency advocates who argue certain records should remain accessible for specific purposes (law enforcement, judicial decisions, victim information)
  • Scope of "adverse actions": Defining what constitutes prohibited adverse actions and whether exceptions should exist for certain professions (childcare, law enforcement, financial services) or sensitive positions

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

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