Maryland Youth Justice Coalition Statement on Youth Charging Reform Act Advancing in the House of Delegates
As Maryland lawmakers consider next steps, advocates urge House to act swiftly to protect youth and public safety.
Related to: Youth Justice
[Annapolis, MD] – Today, the Maryland House Judiciary committee passed (14-5) the Youth Charging Reform Act (SB 323), legislation that would limit the harmful practice of automatically charging youth as adults. In 2025 alone, Maryland charged more than 1,000 youth as adults, most due to automatic charging based solely on the arrest offense. More than half of those cases were later transferred back to juvenile court, demonstrating how frequently automatic charging bypasses individualized, commonsense decision‑making. The racial disparities are stark: between 2009 and 2024, 80% of youth charged as adults in Maryland were Black.
The Maryland Youth Justice Coalition noted: “Public safety and protecting children go hand in hand. Starting cases in the right court allows for faster accountability and interventions that strengthen community safety.While this current legislation does not address every concern we have with Maryland’s youth charging processes, it represents an important step forward—and we remain committed to working with lawmakers until all youth cases begin in juvenile court.”
“As the Youth Charging Reform Act advances through the House of Delegates, Maryland has a critical opportunity to take a meaningful step toward a more just and effective youth justice system,” said Olivia Naugle, youth justice campaign strategist at The Sentencing Project. “True public safety depends on protecting our youth, not sacrificing their well‑being for punitive policies.”
“All young people are sacred and deserve a chance at life,” said Rev. Dr. Marlon Tilghman, Justice Advocate Board Member of BRIDGE Maryland, Inc. “Today we acknowledge Maryland lawmakers in the House and Senate who have agreed to take the first faithful step to end charging youth as adults by passing SB323. We trust Governor Moore will remember the redemption of second chances and stand with our youth by signing this legislation into law.”
“The Out for Justice staff and impacted membership fully support the passage of Senate Bill 323, the Youth Charging Reform Act,” said Terry Speaks, Leadership Development Organizer for Out for Justice, and a former youth charged as an adult. “This bill is a transformative step toward reducing recidivism rates for our youth while maintaining accountability for their actions. We must remember that we are dealing with children primarily from difficult circumstances; our aim should always be rehabilitation to set them on the right path and prevent future offenses. This bill achieves that.”
The coalition urges the House of Delegates to vote in favor of the legislation when it comes to the floor, and looks forward to the Senate returning final passage to send the bill to the Governor’s desk.
The Youth Charging Reform Act does not completely eliminate trying youth in adult court. Instead, it narrows the list of offenses that require 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to begin their cases there, ensuring that more cases start in juvenile court where judges can consider the full context of a young person’s life and circumstances, as well as their actions.
About the Maryland Youth Justice Coalition
The Maryland Youth Justice Coalition is a diverse array of organizations dedicated to preventing children and adolescents from involvement with the legal system, upholding the highest standards of care when youth enter the legal system, and ensuring a platform for system‑involved youth and their families to be heard. Learn more at www.mdyouthjustice.org.
