SB 962

SENATE BILL 962
      P1, P4  6lr3295
     By: Senators Kagan, Ferguson, Attar, Augustine, Beidle, Benson, Brooks, Charles,
  Ellis, Feldman, Gile, Guzzone, Harris, Hayes, Henson, Hester, Hettleman,
  Jackson, James, King, Kramer, Lam, Love, McCray, Muse, Rosapepe, Smith,
  Sydnor,      Waldstreicher,      A. Washington, M. Washington,    Watson,
  Lewis Young, and Zucker
     Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
     Assigned to: Rules
  A BILL ENTITLED
1 AN ACT concerning
2  January 6th Insurrectionists – Prohibition on Service in Certain Government
3Roles
4 FOR the purpose of prohibiting individuals convicted of certain crimes in relation to the
5      attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, from serving in certain
6      government roles; requiring an appointing authority to take certain actions to
7      remove or terminate the employment of an individual serving in a role in violation
8      of this Act; and generally relating to individuals convicted of crimes in relation to the
9      attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
10 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
11Article – State Government
12Section 10–1701(d)
13Annotated Code of Maryland
14(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
15 BY adding to
16      Article – State Government
17      Section 10–1703
18      Annotated Code of Maryland
19      (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
20Preamble
21WHEREAS, On January 6, 2021, a violent mob, incited by false claims of a stolen
22 election, attacked the United States Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer
23 of presidential power guaranteed by the United States Constitution; and
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  *sb0962*
2SENATE BILL 962
1WHEREAS, The January 6th attack represented an unprecedented assault on
2 American democracy, resulting in significant injuries and death to courageous law
3 enforcement officers; and
4WHEREAS, Individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection
5 engaged in violent, lawless, and seditious actions that deliberately sought to subvert our
6 democracy, intimidate government officials, and flout constitutional norms; and
7WHEREAS, Public service in the State of Maryland requires fidelity to the United
8 States Constitution, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to protecting the
9 integrity of government institutions against threats, both foreign and domestic; and
10WHEREAS, Public service is a privilege, and allowing individuals convicted of
11 crimes in relation to the January 6th attack to hold positions of public trust would threaten
12 the functioning of government, undermine public confidence, and place the authority of the
13 State in the hands of those who have already sought to violently overthrow lawful
14 institutions; now, therefore,
15SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
16 That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
17Article – State Government
18 10–1701.
19(d)    (1)   Except as provided in [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of this
20 subsection, an individual or entity that appointed a member may remove or suspend the
21 member in accordance with subsection (c) of this section only after:
22(i)   consultation with the chair of the board, committee, commission,
23 task force, or workgroup; and
24(ii)   the member has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard
25 regarding the reason for removal or suspension.
26(2)   The requirements of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection do not apply if
27 the member being removed or suspended is the chair of the board, committee, commission,
28 task force, or workgroup.
29(3)
  THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION DO
30 NOT APPLY IF THE MEMBER IS SUBJECT TO REMOVAL UNDER § 10–1703 OF THIS
31 SUBTITLE.
32 10–1703.
  SENATE BILL 962  3
1      (A)  THIS SECTION APPLIES TO AN INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN
2 RELATION TO THE ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021,
3 REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PARDONED.
4      (B)   THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO AN INDIVIDUAL SERVING ON:
5(1)   A STANDING COMMITTEE, AS DEFINED IN  § 2–101 OF THIS
6 ARTICLE; OR
7(2)   A COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE.
8      (C)  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, AN INDIVIDUAL
9 CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN RELATION TO THE ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES
10 CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021, MAY NOT SERVE:
11(1)
  ON A BOARD, COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, TASK FORCE, OR
12 WORKGROUP CREATED BY STATE LAW;
13(2)   IN THE EXECUTIVE SERVICE OF STATE GOVERNMENT, AS DEFINED
14 IN § 6–404 OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE; OR
15(3)  IN A POSITION CATEGORIZED AS A SPECIAL APPOINTMENT UNDER
16 § 6–405 OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE.
17      (D)  IF AN APPOINTING AUTHORITY DETERMINES THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS
18 SERVING IN A ROLE IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY
19 SHALL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMOVE OR TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF
20 THE INDIVIDUAL.
21SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
22 1, 2026.