EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0435*
HOUSE BILL 435
D1 5lr2384
HB 446/24 – JUD
By: Delegates Roberson, Alston, Kaufman, Pasteur, Wilkins, and Woods
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2025
Assigned to: Judiciary
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Courts – Jury Service – Disqualification 2
FOR the purpose of altering the circumstances under which an individual who has been 3
convicted of a crime is not qualified for jury service; and generally relating to jury 4
service. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 7
Section 8–103 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 13
8–103. 14
(a) Notwithstanding § 8–102 of this subtitle, an individual qualifies for jury 15
service for a county only if the individual: 16
(1) Is an adult as of the day selected as a prospective juror; 17
(2) Is a citizen of the United States; and 18
(3) Resides in the county as of the day sworn as a juror. 19
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and subject to the federal 20
Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual is not qualified for jury service if the 21
individual: 22 2 HOUSE BILL 435
(1) Cannot comprehend spoken English or speak English; 1
(2) Cannot comprehend written English, read English, or write English 2
proficiently enough to complete a juror qualification form satisfactorily; 3
(3) Has a disability that, as documented by a health care provider’s 4
certification, prevents the individual from providing satisfactory jury service; 5
(4) Has been convicted, in a federal or State court of record, of [a]: 6
(I) A crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and 7
[received a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year] IS CURRENTLY SERVING THE 8
SENTENCE IMPOSED FOR THE CONVICTION , INCLUDING A TERM OF PARO LE OR 9
PROBATION; or 10
(II) A CRIME INVOLVING OR R ELATING TO: 11
1. PERJURY; 12
2. WITNESS INTIMIDATION ; 13
3. JURY INTIMIDATION ; OR 14
4. A CRIME UNDER TITLE 8 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW 15
ARTICLE; OR 16
(5) Has a charge pending, in a federal or State court of record, for a crime 17
punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year. 18
[(c) An individual qualifies for jury service notwithstanding a disqualifying 19
conviction under subsection (b)(4) of this section if the individual is pardoned.] 20
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
October 1, 2025. 22