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HB 389

Juveniles - Detention and Confinement - Limitations on Juvenile Contact With Incarcerated Adults

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Bartlett

Maryland bill prohibits juveniles in detention from having direct contact with incarcerated adults to protect minors from harm and exploitation.

Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 389

Legislative bill overview

HB 389 establishes restrictions on direct contact between juveniles in detention and incarcerated adults within Maryland's correctional system. The bill aims to prevent minors from being housed with or having unsupervised interaction with adult inmates during detention proceedings.

Why is this important

Juvenile-adult contact in detention settings raises serious safety and developmental concerns, as research indicates minors are vulnerable to physical harm, exploitation, and negative behavioral influences from adult offenders. This bill addresses a practical problem in Maryland's detention infrastructure where space constraints or administrative practices may currently allow such contact.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Facilities may require separate housing units, additional staff, or infrastructure upgrades to fully comply with contact restrictions
  • Facility overcrowding: Mandatory separation could strain limited detention space and complicate case management during periods of high juvenile detention volumes
  • Definition clarity: The bill's specific language on what constitutes prohibited "contact" and which detention settings it covers will determine practical enforcement and scope

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

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