EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0977*
HOUSE BILL 977
E1 5lr1980
HB 264/24 – JUD CF SB 364
By: Delegate Crosby
Introduced and read first time: January 31, 2025
Assigned to: Judiciary
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Criminal Law – Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel – Increased Penalties 2
(Jamari’s Law) 3
FOR the purpose of increasing the maximum periods of imprisonment for an individual 4
convicted of manslaughter by vehicle or vessel; and generally relating to penalties 5
for manslaughter by vehicle or vessel. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 7
Article – Criminal Law 8
Section 2–209 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 12
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 13
Article – Criminal Law 14
2–209. 15
(a) In this section, “vehicle” includes a motor vehicle, streetcar, locomotive, 16
engine, and train. 17
(b) A person may not cause the death of another as a result of the person’s driving, 18
operating, or controlling a vehicle or vessel in a grossly negligent manner. 19
(c) A violation of this section is manslaughter by vehicle or vessel. 20
2 HOUSE BILL 977
(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person who 1
violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not 2
exceeding [10] 20 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both. 3
(2) (i) A person who violates this section, having previously been 4
convicted under this section, § 2–210, § 2–503, § 2–504, § 2–505, § 2–506, or § 3–211 of this 5
article, or § 21–902 of the Transportation Article, is guilty of a felony and on conviction is 6
subject to imprisonment not exceeding [15] 30 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or 7
both. 8
(ii) For the purposes of application of subsequent offender penalties 9
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, a conviction for a crime committed in another 10
state or federal jurisdiction that, if committed in this State would constitute a violation of 11
this section, § 2–210, § 2–503, § 2–504, § 2–505, § 2–506, or § 3–211 of this article, or § 12
21–902 of the Transportation Article, shall be considered a violation of this section. 13
(e) (1) An indictment or other charging document for manslaughter by vehicle 14
or vessel is sufficient if it substantially states: 15
“(name of defendant) on (date) in (county) killed (name of victim) in a grossly 16
negligent manner against the peace, government, and dignity of the State.”. 17
(2) An indictment or other charging document for manslaughter by vehicle 18
or vessel need not set forth the manner or means of death. 19
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 20
October 1, 2025. 21