Maryland Senate committee advances Youth Reform Act

Legislation changes how juveniles can be charged as adults

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A Senate committee in Maryland voted 10-1 to advance the Youth Charging Reform Act, which would repeal five crimes that currently automatically charge juveniles as adults. The bill is a compromise that shortens the list of crimes eligible for automatic adult charges, though the most serious offenses like murder and rape would still start in adult court.

Why it matters

The legislation is aimed at improving public safety outcomes and providing more efficient ways to handle juvenile cases, rather than automatically charging youth as adults. However, some lawmakers expressed concerns that reducing automatic adult charges could lead to more violent crime.

The details

The Youth Charging Reform Act would repeal the automatic adult charges for juveniles ages 16 and 17 in cases involving possession, sale or transfer of a firearm, use of a firearm in a drug crime, use of a firearm with a felony drug conviction, first-degree assault, and wearing/carrying/transporting a handgun. The most serious crimes like murder and rape would still start in adult court, including for 14 and 15-year-olds.

  • The Senate committee voted on the bill on February 28, 2026.
  • The full Maryland Senate will now consider the legislation.

The players

Will Smith

Montgomery County Senator and co-sponsor of the Youth Charging Reform Act.

Charles Sydnor

Baltimore County Senator.

Chris West

Baltimore County Senator.

William Folden

Frederick County Senator who expressed concerns about the legislation.

Betsy Fox Tolentino

Confirmed as the new Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a more efficient way to do it. It's going to have better public safety outcomes, better outcomes from the youth.”

— Will Smith, Senator (wbal.com)

“This bill is about where the process starts. So, why don't we do the efficient thing and let the judge make the decision, and if the judge decides to start the case in juvenile court, the state's attorney still has the right to move it to the adult court.”

— Charles Sydnor, Senator (wbal.com)

“Possession, opportunity, execution. When I say execution, people are losing their lives. We are going to pull back the enforcement that has worked, that has changed and curbed the violence.”

— William Folden, Senator (wbal.com)

What’s next

The full Maryland Senate will now consider the Youth Charging Reform Act after it was advanced by the committee.

The takeaway

The legislation aims to provide more discretion in how juvenile cases are handled, rather than automatically charging youth as adults. However, some lawmakers remain concerned that reducing automatic adult charges could lead to increased violent crime.