Numerous new laws are taking effect this October across Maryland, many of which impose new restrictions, while others expand previously passed laws.
One piece of legislation that has drawn the attention of many Marylanders is Senate Bill 111, which outlines new fines for any resident driving with out-of-state tags.
Related: Here Are 8 New MD Laws Going Into Effect On Oct. 1, 2026
After a written warning is issued, offending drivers face daily fines or having their car towed or booted.
Patch has provided a sampling of crime-related laws below that will take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Maryland's Youth Charging Reform Act effectively changes how the courts handle children accused of serious crimes.
The law expands juvenile court jurisdiction by repealing a provision that excluded children accused of crimes punishable by life imprisonment.
Under the new law, a 16- or 17-year-old who is charged with kidnapping, robbery, assault, third-degree sex offense, or certain gun-related crimes will have their case heard in the juvenile court system rather than being charged as an adult.
It also establishes new rules on when an intake officer must authorize detention for a child aged 16 or older accused of certain offenses.
As part of the measure, the Department of Juvenile Services, in partnership with the governor's office, will also be required to provide an annual report on youths awaiting placement and on cases in which jurisdiction is waived or petitioned to be waived, among other determinations.
The legislation also requires that no juveniles be held in adult jails starting Oct. 1, 2029.
While Maryland does provide ways to expunge criminal records, the state is expanding its eligibility criteria.
Starting in October, a person will be able to petition for expungement when a disposition in the case received a "no finding" designation, or when the court designated the case as terminated without finding.
The change applies to certain misdemeanor violations and was passed as an amendment to previously approved expungement laws.
Maryland's PACE Act places new limits on the use of a criminal defendant's or juvenile respondent's creative expression as evidence.
The law states that such expression — music, dance, performance art, visual art, poetry, literature, and film — generally cannot be admitted against the defendant or juvenile unless a court makes specific findings.
Exceptions to the rule include whether the individual intended for the work to be literal or if the medium is relevant to a disputed issue of fact.
"The legislation ensures that our courts rely on evidence of conduct, not creative imagination," Sen. Charles Sydnor III said in a statement.
The measure makes Maryland the third U.S. state to enact such legislation.
Senate Bill 230, cross-filed with House Bill 138, expands Maryland's definition of third-degree sexual offense to cover nonconsensual sexual contact committed in connection with first-, second-, or third-degree burglary.
The legislation also changes the definitions of Tier I, Tier II and Tier III sex offenders to account for certain acts that constitute third-degree sexual offense under the new provision.
Among the string of new criminal laws is Senate Bill 8, which creates new penalties for identity fraud involving artificial intelligence and deepfake imagery.
The law prohibits the use of AI-generated or deepfake material — altered photos, videos, audio recordings, and digital images — for certain purposes when the conduct is intended to cause physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damage.
For cases involving one victim, the penalties include up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. When two or more victims are involved, the maximum penalty increases to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Senate Bill 177, previously introduced during the 2025 legislative session, makes it a misdemeanor to use force, threaten force, or physically obstruct another person who is lawfully exercising — or attempting to exercise — religious beliefs at a place of worship.
A conviction can carry a sentence of up to 90 days in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
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