According to the Youth Charging Reform Act, individuals under the age of 18 may still face adult charges in severe cases like first-degree murder and rape.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently enacted numerous laws in Annapolis, including significant legislation that halts the automatic prosecution of juveniles as adults for a broad range of offenses.
Under the Youth Charging Reform Act, minors under 18 can still be charged as adults for the most severe crimes such as first-degree murder and rape.
During the bill-signing event on Tuesday, Maryland General Assembly Senate President Bill Ferguson remarked, “Maryland is among the states that charge a higher number of children as adults than any state except Alabama. This new legislation will change that.”
Ferguson highlighted that there are instances when even 14-year-olds were charged as adults, noting that such cases often returned to juvenile court. He stated, “This practice is not effective and mostly results in outcomes that end back in juvenile court.”
He emphasized that the new law will ensure that cases are directed to the appropriate court from the beginning, which research shows will enhance community safety and benefit the youth involved.
While the signing ceremony was marked by applause, Ivan Bates, president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys Association, expressed concerns in a statement, stating that “violent juvenile crime continues to escalate because the Department of Juvenile Services lacks the resources to manage these young, violent repeat offenders.”
Bates, who testified against the bill, further stated, “Providing a mere timeout for these violent offenders and returning them to the juvenile system is not a viable solution for dealing with such serious crimes.”
In an interview with WTOP, Governor Moore spoke positively about the new law, explaining that although crime has generally decreased across most categories, juvenile crime remains a troubling issue that clogs the justice system.
“The legal process for these cases typically takes about four months, and sometimes even longer. This delay is significant because it means that accountability for the young person is delayed, as are the services they require, and we often miss a crucial opportunity to modify their behavior for better outcomes,” he remarked.
Governor Moore noted that automatically prosecuting minors as adults hinders the state’s ability to provide necessary services and support, and that many such cases eventually revert to juvenile court.
Maryland Gov. Moore discusses with WTOP the various bills he recently signed into law.
Immigration and Travel Laws
Among other bills signed into law, one enhances protections for individuals who book travel through agents. This legislation emerged in response to the 2024 deaths of a Bowie couple who tragically perished in extreme heat while undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The families of Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie reported receiving distressing messages after their arrival abroad, indicating that the travel agency they utilized failed to provide appropriate documentation, preparation, nourishment, hydration, or transportation. They were forced to endure a two-hour walk and were among the 1,300 individuals who succumbed to the severe heat.
Governor Moore conveyed to WTOP that while this measure was “inspired by a tragedy,” it aims to safeguard countless other Maryland travelers.
“This law mandates that all travel sellers register yearly with the Department of Labor, provide evidence of holding a minimum of $1 million in professional liability insurance before taking payments, and establishes a registry fund for travel service providers. This will empower the state to enforce safety standards and ensure that every Marylander knows when they are booking with a reputable agency,” he explained.
Other bills signed into law include the “Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone Free Schools Act,” which requires school systems to implement “bell-to-bell” cell phone policies across all elementary, middle, and high schools by the 2027-2028 academic year.
However, Governor Moore opted not to sign two significant immigration-related bills—the Community Trust Act and the Data Privacy Act—though he will allow them to become law without his signature.
“Maryland will consistently collaborate with the federal government when such coordination enhances safety for our residents. However, we will not permit untrained, unaccountable ICE agents to co-opt our local law enforcement to perform immigration duties,” he stated during his conversation with WTOP.
Governor Moore reaffirmed that the state intends to work alongside local law enforcement to establish task forces focused on dealing with “the most violent offenders … regardless of their immigration status.”
“Local law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining safety within their communities, and this legislation ensures that they can prioritize their work without being diverted into immigration enforcement,” he concluded.
Additionally, a housing legislation was approved with the aim of increasing the state’s housing capacity by preventing local jurisdictions from charging development impact fees or excise taxes on residential projects until after completion. This measure seeks to alleviate upfront obstacles to the construction of new homes.
Stay updated with breaking news and daily headlines by subscribing to our email newsletter here.
© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
