Maryland SB49 protects unhoused individuals' rights and establishes an affirmative defense for certain criminal charges.

Maryland SB49 adds protections for unhoused individuals by affirming their rights to be on public places, practice religion, and store personal property. It prohibits civil or criminal penalties for life-sustaining activities like sleeping or taking shelter on public land when no adequate indoor space is available. The bill also allows unhoused individuals to assert an affirmative defense of necessity in certain criminal prosecutions if they were engaging in life-sustaining activities and no alternative indoor space was offered. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maryland SB49 protects unhoused individuals' rights and establishes an affirmative defense for certain criminal charges.

Maryland SB49 adds protections for unhoused individuals by affirming their rights to be on public places, practice religion, and store personal property. It prohibits civil or criminal penalties for life-sustaining activities like sleeping or taking shelter on public land when no adequate indoor space is available. The bill also allows unhoused individuals to assert an affirmative defense of necessity in certain criminal prosecutions if they were engaging in life-sustaining activities and no alternative indoor space was offered. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.