Table of Contents
While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. Users must accept all risks associated with actions taken based on this information. Please help us improve by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at https://narsol.org/wiki-response/
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Maryland Laws Regarding Registration
Who must register?
What information must registrants provide?
How frequently must they register? And for how long?
Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers?
Yes. There are three tiers: Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III.
Criminal Procedure Code Ann – 11-707. Term of Registration
Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels to registrants?
No. Only for supervision purposes.
Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who?
Those adjudicated as juveniles remain privately registered.
Criminal Procedure Code Ann – 11-704.1
Is there a registration fee?
No
Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision?
MD has no residency restrictions. It does restrict registrants from being on school property except to vote, and there is some public notification which varies from county to county.
Criminal Procedure Code Ann – 11-704
Is there a process for removal from the registry? If so, who qualifies and what is the process?
Only for those who are Tier I, after 10 years.
Criminal Procedure Code Ann – 11-707 c
What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who is visiting?
Generally speaking, persons must register within 3 days of coming to “habitually live,” work, or attend school in the state.
Criminal Procedure Code Ann – 11-705
State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration
What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences?
Criminal Law Article under 3-3xx for most sex offenses; 3-501&502 for Kidnapping; 3-602&3 for Sex abuse/sale of a minor; 3-902 for visual surveillance; 11-207, 208, 209 for child pornography; and 11-303, 305, and 306 for trafficking/prostitution. See a full list in Question 1 in these state FAQs (the following link). HOWEVER do not trust the text below them as it is outdated.
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/onlineservs/sor/frequently_asked_questions.shtml
Does the state have lifetime supervision?
Does the state have indeterminate sentencing?
It does not.
What are the state civil commitment laws?
There is no civil commitment statute exclusively targeting sexual offenses. This statute covers the situations in which someone might become civilly committed.
Criminal Procedure Code Title 3-106
What is the age of consent?
Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people?
Individuals aged 15 or younger in Maryland are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape.
https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/maryland
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
Yes, as soon as they are released from incarceration.
Md. CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Code Ann. § 2-601
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
How does the state’s legislative process work?
Legislative Services Library page
https://dls.maryland.gov/library/
Legislative Services Information Services page contains list of helpful documents
http://dls.maryland.gov/library/information-services/
How can I locate and track legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Go to http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ and use the search box to find bills using the keywords below. When you find something you want to track, look for the little thumbtack near the top right, click it, and follow directions to create a tracking account. From then on, click the thumbtack next to its title and add it to your tracking list. Depending on your settings, you’ll get updates at different frequencies.
Best keywords are:
Searches that work well here are “sexual offense” and “sexual offender” and “required to register.”
Sign up for notifications of bill movement:
See tracking above.
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
Senate Judicial Proceedings
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jpr
House Judiciary
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jud
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Starting page. Drill down by your district, or view all House or Senate members.
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District
Other Useful State Information
Contact information for state registry office
300 East Joppa Road, Suite 1000
Towson, Maryland 21286
(410) 339-5000 (877) 379-8636
RSOL state affiliate website or blog:
Families Advocating Intelligent Registries (FAIR)
https://fairregistry.org
Other helpful state advocacy groups:
Maryland CURE MAJR (MD Alliance for Justice Reform)
Other registrant-friendly state support groups:
Response needed.
Other helpful information
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
Yes, as soon as they are released from incarceration.
Md. CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Code Ann. § 2-601
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
How does the state’s legislative process work?
http://dls.maryland.gov/library/information-services/
http://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/NoPblTabLibResDocs/Legislative-Process.pdf
How can I locate and track legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Go to http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ and use the search box to find bills using the keywords below. When you find something you want to track, look for the little thumbtack near the top right, click it, and follow directions to create a tracking account. From then on, click the thumbtack next to its title and add it to your tracking list. Depending on your settings, you’ll get updates at different frequencies.
Best keywords are:
Searches that work well here are “sexual offense” and “sexual offender” and “required to register.”
Sign up for notifications of bill movement:
See tracking above.
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
Yes, as soon as they are released from incarceration.
Md. CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Code Ann. § 2-601
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
How does the state’s legislative process work?
http://dls.maryland.gov/library/information-services/
http://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/NoPblTabLibResDocs/Legislative-Process.pdf
How can I locate and track legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Go to http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ and use the search box to find bills using the keywords below. When you find something you want to track, look for the little thumbtack near the top right, click it, and follow directions to create a tracking account. From then on, click the thumbtack next to its title and add it to your tracking list. Depending on your settings, you’ll get updates at different frequencies.
Best keywords are:
Searches that work well here are “sexual offense” and “sexual offender” and “required to register.”
Sign up for notifications of bill movement:
See tracking above.
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Other Useful State Information
Contact information for the state registry office
For a Tier I submitting a request for removal after 10 years:
CJIS - Central Repository
Sex Offender Registry Unit
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville MD 21282-2708
410.585.3600
websiteresponse@dpscs.state.md.us
Any other correspondence:
Sex Offender Registry Unit
P.O. Box 5743
Pikesville, MD 21282-5743
RSOL state affiliate website or blog:
Families Advocating Intelligent Registries (FAIR)
https://fairregistry.org
Other helpful state advocacy groups:
Maryland CURE MAJR (MD Alliance for Justice Reform)
Other registrant-friendly state support groups:
Check with info@fairregistry.org regarding area Fearless group.