Channing Justice
Priority Immigration Bills 2026 MD General Assembly
The 2026 Maryland General Assembly has adjourned sine die. All three of CASA's priority bills PASSED, as well as other bills we supported. Thank you for your commitment, perseverance and diligence during the three-month session, battling blustery days in Annapolis for vigils and rallies, making phone calls, sending emails, writing testimony, convincing friends and neighbors, educating your congregations. To the entire UU Legislative Ministry of MD Immigration Team -- Congratulations and Thank You. - Jim C.
CASA Priorities Are Listed First
Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition, SB 245 / HB 444 CASA Priority
Ends existing 287g agreements and prohibits future 287g agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities
Status - Passed both houses; in opposite chambers
Sample Testimony Template - From CASA
Testimony - SB 245
Sample Message to Your Senator to Vote Yes for SB 245
Sample Message to Members of House Judiciary Committee (if you are a constituent)
Passed
Expand Data Privacy, HB 711 / SB 504 CASA Priority
Prevents federal immigration authorities from trolling any state database; sponsors: Del. Charkoudian, Sen. Lam
Status - Passed House; in Senate Judicial Proceedings; no action on SB 504
Hearings: House Economic Matters Committee, 2/24, 1:00 PM; Senate Finance Committee, Senate Finance Committee, 2/26, 1:00 PM
Passed
Community Trust Act, SB 791 / HB 1575, CASA Priority
Prohibits local law enforcement from notifying and transferring individuals to federal immigration authorities
Status - In House JUD; in Senate JPR
Bill Text - SB 791 / HB1575
Hearings - 2/25, 1:00 PM in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee;
Testimony - My Testimony
Passed
Prohibition on Face Coverings, Law Enforcement Officers, SB 1/HB 155
Establishes a model policy prohibiting the use of a face covering by a local, state or federal officer in the course of duty.
Status - SB 1, First reading in opposite chamber; HB 155, JUD hearing 2/24, 1:00 PM
Sample Message to Your Senator to Vote Yes (Favorable With Amendments) on SB1
Passed
Stop Detention, Arrests at Courthouses - HB309
Prohibits a person from being stopped, detained or arrested within 1 mile of a courthouse; sponsor: Del. Stewart
Hearing, Judiciary Committee, 2/4, 1:00 PM
Immigration Detention Facilities Standards - HB 1018 / SB 985 Also See HB 630 Below
Establishes standards of care, custody for civil detainees in immigration detention facilities; sponsor: Del. Stewart
Status - HB 1018 Passed House, in Senate JPR; SB 985, no movement
My Testimony: HB 1018 / SB 985
HB1018 Passed SecondThird Reading
SB985 No Hearing Scheduled for Rules Committee
Testimony for Rules Committee for SB 985
Correctional Services - Private Immigration Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement - HB1017 / SB984 Also See HB630 Below
State or local government unit may not approve construction or operation of a building, structure or other real property for an immigration detention facility by a private entity unless such structure is located in a zone that authorizes immigration detention facilities
HB1017 Passed Third Reading in House
SB984 No Hearing Scheduled in Rules Committee
Testimony for Rules Committee for SB984
Passed
Other Bills of Interest -- UULMMD Supporting
Passenger Health and Safety Act (Aviation) - HB639 / SB505
Prohibits servicing an aircraft if an individual on board is restrained (response to Avelo) ; sponsor: Del. Charkoudian, Sens. Lam & Feldman
Status: HB 639 passed House, in Finance
Hearings: Senate Finance, 2/18, 1:00 PM; House Environment & Transportation, 2/19, 1:00 PM
Testimony - My Testimony for HB639 / SB505
Sample Message to Delegates on Environment and Transportation Committee
Immunity from Immigration Arrest at Courthouse, HB495
Individuals who in good faith are attending court proceedings are immune from immigration arrest; sponsor: Del. Rosenberg
Hearing, Judiciary Committee, 2/18, 1:00 PM
Testimony: My Testimony
Establishes civil liability for an individual who, under color of law, deprives another of a constitutional right.
(Color of Law is a government official); sponsor: Del. Charkoudian; Sens. Waldstreicher and Smith
Hearing: House Judiciary (JUD), 2/25, 1:00 PM; Senate Judicial Proceedings, 2/10, 1:00 PM
Passed
Public Schools - School Security Personnel - Immigration Investigation and Enforcement - HB1341 / SB810
Prohibits Public School Security personnel from engaging in certain federal immigration enforcement functions and producing or sharing student information under certain circumstances; sponsors: Del. Ebersole, et al; Sen. King
Bill Text - Not yet
Hearings: House Judiciary and Ways and Means, no date; Senate Education, Energy and Environment, 3/4, 1:00 PM
Correctional Services - Immigration Detention Facilities - Original Design and Construction - HB630
Prohibiting a person from operating an immigration detention facility at a building, structure, or facility that was not originally designed and constructed for the purpose of housing or detaining individuals. Sponsor: Del. Schindler, et al
Hearings: 3/11, 1:00 PM, Judiciary; submit testimony on 3/9 to House Judiciary Committee
Testimony/Talking Points: HB630