Proposed Maryland Firearm Legislation HB1406
Legislation Overview
Title: Criminal Law - Self-Defense - Prior Acts by Victim
Subject: Criminal Law - Substantive Crimes: Assault: defendants: Ex-Offenders: Manslaughter: Murder: Self Defense: Sexual Offenses: Victims
Description: Authorizing a person charged with murder or manslaughter in any degree or a crime under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Law Article to assert the defense that the person acted in self-defense and need not prove that the person believed danger was imminent or immediate if the victim had previously committed a certain act against the person.
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Last Action: Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 16, 2026
Sponsors
Note: the first sponsor listed is normally the primary sponsor. If a sponsor's name is a hyperlink you can click on it to 'follow the money'.
3 sponsors: Stephanie Smith (D); Elizabeth Embry (D); Malcolm Ruff (D)
Percentage of House Of Delegates sponsoring bill: 2% (3 of 141)
History
| Chamber | Date | Action |
| House | Feb 16, 2026 | Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. |
| House | Feb 13, 2026 | First Reading Judiciary |
Texts
| Type | Date | State Link | Text |
| Introduced | Feb 13, 2026 | state link | bill text |
Amendments
| Title | Description | Date | State Link | Text | Adopted |
| There are no amendments to this bill at this time | |||||
Votes - Click on description to view vote roll call
There have not been any votes on this bill
Link: link to state bill page
