Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Public Defender Natasha M. Dartigue Praise the Successful Passage of Legislation Transforming the Criminal Legal System

As the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session concludes, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Public Defender Natasha M. Dartigue are celebrating the passage of several bills, which reflect the recommendations detailed in the inaugural report from the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC).

Attorney General Brown has stated that these legislative actions represent a critical advancement in rectifying the injustices caused by mass incarceration in Maryland. He emphasized that the progress made in the past 18 months offers renewed hope for those serving extended sentences, particularly Black youth. Furthermore, these laws ensure that seriously ill or elderly individuals have the opportunity to leave prison and live with dignity. While these reforms are a promising beginning, he noted that they will continue advocating for broader changes to foster a truly equitable and just criminal legal system for all Marylanders.

Public Defender Dartigue added that these laws provide meaningful paths to justice for individuals, families, and communities. Cumulatively, these changes are projected to positively affect thousands of Marylanders, inject millions of dollars into the state's economy, and address the racial injustices that have long perpetuated mass incarceration. While acknowledging that these laws represent only a fraction of what is necessary to diminish racial disparities within the criminal legal system, she affirmed their commitment to implementing these reforms and advocating for the deeper changes that communities need and deserve.

Established in October 2023 through a partnership between Attorney General Brown and Public Defender Dartigue, the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC) addresses racial disparities in Maryland’s mass incarceration issue. The collaborative comprises over 40 representatives from state agencies, academia, community groups, subject matter experts, and impacted citizens. In March 2025, the MEJC released its first report, which contained 18 recommendations. The following pieces of legislation, supported by MEJC, align with these recommendations:

* **Geriatric and Medical Parole Reform (HB1123 and SB0181):** This reform expands early release access for aging and seriously ill incarcerated individuals, marking a significant advancement in humane justice and aligning with MEJC Recommendation No. 9.

* **Second Look Act (HB853):** This act allows courts to review long sentences for individuals convicted of crimes between the ages of 18 and 25 after a period of incarceration, offering a pathway to redemption and acknowledging personal transformation, aligning with MEJC Recommendation No. 13.

* **Restorative Practices in Public Schools (SB0068 / HB0197):** Creating a framework for shifting from punitive measures to restorative approaches, this addresses the criminalization of behavior in schools, aligning with MEJC Recommendation No. 15.

Attorney General Brown and Public Defender Dartigue have expressed their gratitude to the MEJC workgroup chairs, members, and partners for their dedication to advancing these protections for Maryland residents.