MarylandMaryland bars recruiting people to take their government benefits
Starting October 1, 2026, people may not knowingly recruit someone to take their government benefits, profit from that venture, or help carry it out.
What it does
People may not knowingly use deception, coercion, or isolation to recruit or control someone so they can take that person’s government benefits.
People may not knowingly profit from a venture that exploits someone’s benefits or help others carry out that exploitation.
Argument forPeople whose benefits are targeted through threats, deception, or isolation could gain added protection because the law makes recruiting them for that purpose a crime.
Argument againstPeople convicted could face separate charges for each violation, and those involving at least $100,000 in benefits could bring up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
More detail
A person may not knowingly recruit, harbor, transport, or obtain someone to take that person’s government benefits for themselves or someone else. Covered benefits include health care, food, cash assistance, disability, veterans, and pension benefits. The person must use deception, coercion, exploitation, isolation, or similar means. The person must know what they are doing and intend to appropriate the benefits. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
A person may not knowingly gain money or something of value from a venture that commits this exploitation, or aid, abet, or conspire to commit it. The venture must involve recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining someone to take their government benefits through the listed means. A person must knowingly receive money or something of value from the venture. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 663Became Law
- Apr 9Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 9Senate Concurs House Amendments
- Apr 8Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 6Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 6Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 6Favorable with Amendments Report by JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Referred JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 12Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 10Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 10Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 9Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Feb 27
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 14First Reading Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Jan 13Hearing 1/20 at 1:00 p.m.
- 2025
- Sep 23Pre-filedIntroduced
Criminal JusticeConsumer Protection