Maryland Reforms Offer Second Chances on Expungement and Parole
by Jo Ellen Nott
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a suite of reform bills into law on April 22, 2025, marking a victory for incarcerated individuals, the formerly incarcerated, and advocates who have worked tirelessly for these changes for years.
The newly enacted legislation addresses critical issues surrounding criminal record expungement and parole eligibility and is a big step forward in a state dealing with the highest percentage of Black people incarcerated nationwide (71 percent, according to Prison Policy Initiative).
The Expungement Reform Act (Senate Bill 432), a key component of Governor Moore’s agenda, aims to break down the lifelong barriers created by criminal records for countless Marylanders. Recognizing that past offenses, often committed years or even decades prior, can block access to employment, housing, and loans, the Act broadens the list of eligible offenses for expungement to include crimes such as credit card theft, making false statements to police, and driving without a license. It also corrects a technicality that previously penalized parole violations, effectively creating a permanent bar to expungement for those who had stumbled during their supervision. Advocates anticipate an immediate impact, with individuals previously ineligible now able to pursue a fresh start.
In the suite of reform bills, the passage of the Second Look Act (House Bill 853) introduces a way for long-serving inmates to petition for sentence reduction after serving at least 20 years, provided they meet specific criteria. While excluding individuals convicted of sex offenses, life without parole, those over 25 at the time of their offense, and those who killed a first responder (a late amendment that was strongly opposed), the Act offers a pathway for potential release based on demonstrated rehabilitation and the possibility of contributing positively to society. Supporters emphasized that this is not a “get out of jail free” card, but rather a chance for a second look by the original sentencing court, with a limit of three petitions allowed and three years between each petition for the prisoner who is applying.
Adding to the reform efforts are House Bill 1123 and Senate Bill 181, which mandate parole hearings for long-serving inmates over the age of 60 and those with severe medical conditions. These measures acknowledge the evolving circumstances of individuals who have spent significant time incarcerated and allow age and illness to be important factors in parole considerations.
Long-time supporters of criminal justice reform in Maryland are puzzled but delighted that these changes suddenly received support and were passed this year. Senator Charles Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County), a co-sponsor of the Act, believes it was due to the large number of people working on the reform legislation for years prior, and good timing.
The criminal justice reforms signed into law by Moore represent an important step toward equity and redemption in Maryland’s legal system. By expanding expungement opportunities, creating pathways for sentence review through the Second Look Act, and prioritizing parole for the elderly and infirm, these measures dismantle longstanding barriers to reentry and rehabilitation. These laws offer hope, second chances, and a renewed commitment to justice. As Maryland leads the way in reimagining incarceration and reintegration, these reforms signal a future where individuals are defined not by their past mistakes but by their potential to contribute to a fairer, more compassionate society.
Sources: Maryland Matters, Prison Policy Initiative
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