Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Unveils Session Priorities

Caucus focuses on health, economic empowerment, education, and civil rights

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, a powerful voice in Annapolis, has released its list of legislative priorities for the current session. The caucus is focusing on five key areas: health, economic empowerment, education, civil rights, and addressing racial disparities.

Why it matters

The Legislative Black Caucus represents a significant bloc of lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly. Their agenda reflects the concerns and priorities of the state's Black community and aims to address longstanding issues of inequality and injustice.

The details

The caucus is embracing the controversial Youth Charging Reform Act, which would remove 11 of the 33 offenses that automatically charge children as adults. Members are also seeking the creation of an independent commission to investigate 300 graves at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center. Disparities in traffic stops and a ban on 287(g) agreements, which encourage racial profiling, are also on the caucus' radar. Additionally, the caucus is pushing bills to address bias in the appraisal business and simplify property transfers when someone dies.

  • The Youth Charging Reform Act is currently moving through the legislative process.
  • The emergency legislation to ban 287(g) agreements passed both the House and Senate on Thursday and is now ready for Gov. Wes Moore to sign.

The players

Maryland Legislative Black Caucus

A powerful bloc of lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly representing the interests of the state's Black community.

J. Sandy Bartlett

An Anne Arundel County Delegate, D-District 32, who spoke about the Youth Charging Reform Act.

Will Smith

A State Senator, D-District 20, who discussed the investigation into 300 graves at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center.

Charles Sydnor

A State Senator, D-District 44, who spoke about the bill addressing disparities in traffic stops.

Nicole Williams

A Prince George's County Delegate, D-District 22, who sponsored the bill to ban 287(g) agreements.

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What they’re saying

“This bill will require that these individuals start their process in juvenile court, and they will be under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system.”

— J. Sandy Bartlett, Anne Arundel County Delegate, D-District 32

“Wards of the state, many of whom died because of deplorable conditions, because of frostbite, tuberculosis, lack of nutrition.”

— Will Smith, State Senator, D-District 20

“It does not end any enforcement of certain traffic violations, but what it does is it makes things secondary offenses rather than primary offenses.”

— Charles Sydnor, State Senator, D-District 44

“What it does is it encourages law enforcement to engage in racial profiling that is a concern of this caucus, with regards to these agreements.”

— Nicole Williams, Prince George's County Delegate, D-District 22

“It is now time to put faces on our children who are in foster care, and not wait for something to happen to them.”

— Cheryl Pasteur, Baltimore County Delegate, D-District 11A

What’s next

The emergency legislation to ban 287(g) agreements passed both the House and Senate on Thursday and is now ready for Gov. Wes Moore to sign.

The takeaway

The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus' agenda reflects the ongoing efforts to address systemic inequities and racial disparities in the state, particularly in areas of criminal justice, education, and economic empowerment. Their unified approach aims to drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for the Black community in Maryland.