Maryland bill would expand expungement eligibility for first-time drug offenders
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (7News) — When Congress returns from summer break next month, one big piece of legislation focuses on those who commit crimes for the first time. Courthouses see dozens if not hundreds of first-time drug offenders daily. One Maryland congressman wants that to change.
Glenn Ivey is sponsoring a new bill that would broaden eligibility for expungement by removing the age requirement, allowing judges to drop charges, and giving people of any age with a minor possession offense a second chance.
Current law, which was signed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1984, provides for the expungement of a simple possession offense if the defendant was less than 21 years old at the time of the offense, and had no prior convictions for federal or state drug offenses.
Ivey tells 7News that he believes the country went too aggressive in the war on drugs 30 to 40 years ago. Opponents say it opens the door for repeat offenders and creates a system that is soft on crime. On a first offense, someone here in Maryland could face 6 to 18 months in jail.
More than 70,00 people applied for expungements in 2019.
Congressman Ivey believes in second chances, that’s why he is leading the charge with this new legislation. It’s named the Begin Again Act, to expand access to expungement laws for non-violent, minor drug possession offenses.
"Re-Introducing the Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act is an important step in restoring people's ability to fully rejoin our community. Giving a second chance to folks who have made a mistake in their lives gives us a more productive populace, restores dignity to those whose hopes have been dashed,d and gives them more opportunities to own a home, start a business or build a career. Making amends for past mistakes and moving forward should be rewarded. That's what this bipartisan bill does. That's what over 22 national organizations support. Let's get this done," said Congressman Ivey. In its current form, the law provides young people under 21 found guilty of simple drug possession a second chance without the stigma of a federal conviction on their record.
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services estimates around 15,000 people in Maryland were arrested for cannabis-related charges between 2018 and 2020.
In 2021, Virginia sealed 330,000 low-level marijuana possession convictions and another 64,000 misdemeanor distribution convictions.
Ivey believes criminal records create big barriers to finding work, housing, and access to education, which are vital for individuals to make a new start.
A Goucher College poll released this month found that 83 percent of Marylanders said it was “extremely” or “very” important for Maryland Governor Wes Moore to reduce crime during his first term.
“During my time as the owner of a staffing agency, I’d often come across qualified candidates who, due to a non-violent, minor drug possession charge, would be disqualified from prospective employment opportunities. Too many Americans find themselves in this position and are constrained from building a better future for their families because of a single moment in time when they made a poor choice with drugs. This grace-based legislation will open opportunities for non-violent, low-level, first-time drug offenders who have proven that they are on the straight and narrow to forge a new future and put that one-time mistake behind them. Thank you to Congressman Ivey for his strong voice on this issue, and for working in partnership in a bipartisan manner to provide deserving Americans a second chance,” said Congressman Nathaniel Moran.
Sponsors and co-sponsors of the bill are Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Barry Moore (R-AL) and Senators Christopher Coons (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX).