SB 471
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
Senate Bill 471 (Senator Washington)(By Request)
Judicial Proceedings Judiciary
Task Force to Study Crime Classification and Penalties - Alterations
This bill extends the Task Force to Study Crime Classification and Penalties and its
associated reporting deadline by one year. Under the bill, the task force must report its
findings and recommendations to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly
by December 31, 2021. The bill takes effect June 1, 2021, and the task force terminates
June 30, 2022.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Any expense reimbursements for task force reimbursements are assumed to
be minimal and absorbable within existing budgeted resources. Revenues are not affected.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Chapter 372 of 2019 requires the task force to:
 review the penalties for all criminal and civil violations throughout the Maryland
Code;
 study the history and legislative intent of the classification of criminal and civil
violations throughout the Maryland Code, including the constitutional implications
and collateral consequences that arise as a result of classification;
 study criminal classifications and penalty schemes in other states and how those
classifications and schemes compare to those in the State; and
 make recommendations regarding the current statutory scheme for criminal and
civil violations throughout the Maryland Code, including (1) whether there are
violations that should be reclassified as civil offenses, misdemeanors, or felonies;
(2) whether there are penalties that should be altered; (3) whether the State would
benefit from the imposition of standardized crime classifications and penalties, the
codification of a default mental state as an element of criminal liability, and the
codification of affirmative defenses and their elements; (4) whether statutory
changes are necessary for provisions of criminal law that lack an explicit mens rea;
and (5) what limitations, if any should be placed on the ability of administrative
boards, agencies, local governments, appointed commissioners, or of other persons
or entities to enact rules, regulations, ordinances, or laws providing for criminal
penalties.
A member of the task force may not receive compensation but is entitled to reimbursement
for expenses under the standard State travel regulations, as provided in the State budget.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: HB 763 (Delegate Shetty) - Judiciary.
Information Source(s): Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 9, 2021
rh/aad Third Reader - March 22, 2021
Analysis by: Donavan A. Ham Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
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