Governor Wes Moore signs the Maryland Second Look Act
House Bill 853
MARYLAND – Governor Wes Moore has signed a bill into law that could potentials help those currently incarcerated.
Pen to Paper
Governor Wes Moore put pen to paper April 22 with 142 pieces of legislation on his desk. One of the more controversial bills was- House Bill 853 Post Conviction Review better known as the Maryland Second Look Act.
He made this statement at the signing, “We are leaving too much potential on the table. Including when it comes to men and boys who are returning citizens. Because over 95% of Maryland’s incarcerated population is male- and many of those men, deserve a second chance.”
Second Chances
The Second Look Act, give those incarcerated for 20 years or more the ability to petition for a sentence reduction only if they weren’t convicted of sex offenses, killing a first responder, sentenced to life without parole, or if they were over the age of 25 when said crime was committed.
Black men make up over 70 percent of the state’s prison population and Maryland Youth and College Division NAACP President Dorien Rogers says as a black man, this legislation hits home.
“It’s no secret that Black people are arrested at a higher rate and so making sure that we’re creating pathways so that our young black men and women are able to not only rehabilitate, but to go back into the way of life and to be productive and seek the dream that they wish.”
Carlos Battle
Critics argued, people who committed more severe crimes don’t deserve this second chance, however supporters say it’s an opportunity to recognize inmates who have turned their lives around. Formerly incarcerated Carlos Battle is just one of many examples.
Governor Wes Moore made sure to acknowledge him. “And right now, Carlos is leading a transitional housing program to help returning citizens in Baltimore. Carlos has served our state with distinction. But under current law, Carlos can never get his criminal record wiped clean because of a technical violation of his parole that happened years ago. This bill changes that.”
Numerous Acts
The petitions are reviewed by judges in the courts that convicted an individual. Inmates would only be able to petition three times, and those turned down would have to wait three years to reapply.
Governor Wes Moore signed a few other bills into law including the Expungement Reform act and the Protect our Federal Workers Act, and we’ll have those details in the upcoming days.
