Judiciary Committee advances five bills in Saturday vote session; key changes to protective orders and juvenile restrictive-housing rules

The Judiciary Committee met on Saturday, March 21, and voted to advance five bills out of committee, each passing after consideration of amendments and roll-call votes.

The committee approved House Bill 467 (Maryland Parole Commission — improvements, transparency and equity) as amended after an amendment that adds annual reporting requirements and consolidates panel assessments was explained by Delegate Embry. The clerk recorded the final tally as 13 yes, 5 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other and announced the motion carried.

House Bill 493 (Maryland Judicial Conference — judgeships) was considered as presented after its amendment was withdrawn; members confirmed county and judiciary funds would cover implementation costs, and the bill passed 18–0–0–0–1 on roll call.

House Bill 497 (family law — temporary and final protective orders, duration and relief) was amended to remove a proposed emergency-relief provision and to allow temporary protective orders to be effective for up to 14 days, with the final hearing to be held no later than 14 days after service. The amendment passed and the bill carried out of committee 13–5–0–0–1.

House Bill 907 (criminal law — third-degree assault), held from the prior day, was advanced after members indicated outstanding questions had been answered; the committee approved the bill 18–0–0–0–1.

House Bill 921 (juvenile law — confinement and restrictive-housing limitations) was amended to direct the Department of Human Services to promulgate regulations governing restrictive housing of juvenile detainees rather than embedding those specifics in statute; the committee noted the change had support from advocates and recorded a roll-call result of 18–0–0–0–1. The chair congratulated Delegate Moreno on their first judiciary committee vote and adjourned the session.

Votes at a glance (tallies as announced by the clerk):
- HB 467 — 13 yes, 5 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other — passed as amended.
- HB 493 — 18 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other — passed (amendment withdrawn).
- HB 497 — 13 yes, 5 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other — passed as amended (timing changes; emergency relief removed).
- HB 907 — 18 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other — passed as amended.
- HB 921 — 18 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 0 absent, 1 other — passed as amended (moves substantive details to DHS regulations).

The committee did not schedule additional vote sessions that day and adjourned.