ANNAPOLIS, MD — Yesterday, Maryland officially enacted the Second Look Act (HB 853), an important step to giving incarcerated individuals sentenced as emerging adults a meaningful opportunity to seek sentence modification after demonstrating their rehabilitation and transformation.
The Second Look Act allows individuals who were convicted of certain crimes between the ages of 18 and 25—and have served at least 20 years of their sentence—the opportunity to petition the court for a sentence reduction. This reform recognizes that people can grow and change, and that our justice system must evolve to reflect that capacity.
“For too long, people serving unjust sentences—people who have worked hard to transform their lives and who have the potential to positively impact their communities—have been denied meaningful opportunities for release due to racism and the dehumanization of Black people within Maryland’s political and carceral system," said Yanet Amanuel, ACLU of Maryland Policy Director. “The Maryland Second Look Act is a critical step toward correcting these injustices and confronting the shameful racial disparities in our prison system. Grounded in the belief that all people are redeemable and deserving of a second chance, we will continue to fight for those excluded by arbitrary carveouts in this law. We are encouraged by Governor Moore’s signature and his endorsement of second chances, and we will use this momentum to push forward until no one is left behind.”
“The Second Look movement, led by previously incarcerated folks and impacted family members, is a profound example of what’s possible when second chances are real,” said Magdalena Tsiongas, Founder of the Maryland Second Look Coalition. “By signing this amended bill, Governor Moore took a first step toward that vision. We hope this marks the beginning of Maryland getting serious about its mass incarceration problem, including the widespread use of life without parole sentences, which are functionally death by incarceration.”
“Praise God! I am so thankful for the advocates I have come to know and deeply respect,” said Delegate Cheryl Pasteur. “I thank the Governor for the bold step he took in signing this bill. I’m especially grateful to the team who made this happen—Magdalena, who has been both gracious and strong; Yanet and the team at ACLU of Maryland; Senator Charles Sydnor; and former Senator Jill P. Carter who paved the way. I would also like to thank Natasha Dartigue with the Office of the Public Defender and Lorenzo Bellamy of the Bellamy Genn Group for their support. I promise to offer my full support to anyone who returns home through the Second Look Act.”
The signing of this bill represents a necessary corrective to decades of sentencing policies that disproportionately impact Black and Brown Marylanders. Black people are five times more likely to be incarcerated than white people. Maryland continues to lead the nation in the percentage of Black residents behind bars and the length of sentences imposed on young Black men. The Second Look Act begins to address these disparities and aligns with the broader promise of racial equity that many in Maryland, including Governor Wes Moore, have committed to advancing.
The ACLU of Maryland celebrates this win alongside the advocates, organizers, families, and directly impacted people who never gave up the fight. They also thank the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, whose fierce and principled leadership made this moment possible.
“Thank you to everyone who organized, advocated, and made it possible to get HB 853 to the Governor’s desk,” said Gwendolyn Levi, returning citizen and Second Look Advocate. “This is a meaningful step forward, but we can’t forget the people, especially the women, who were excluded by the bill’s carveouts. Many women enter the system later in life, and their stories matter. We will keep fighting for those still waiting on a second chance. We can’t leave anyone behind.”
“Today was a truly a great day—we witnessed Governor Wes Moore sign the Maryland Second Look Act into law,” said Anthony Muhammad, Youth Mentor with the Baltimore Brothers Organization. “His remarks, along with those of House Speaker Adrienne Jones, beautifully captured the essence of our collective efforts. While the final bill wasn’t the full vision we fought for, a Second Look for all, make no mistake: this is a huge victory for the hundreds of people who have spent decades in Maryland prisons—long after proving their growth, maturity, and rehabilitation. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this powerful coalition. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and do the work of bringing our people home.”
While this new law will immediately change lives, it also opens the door for a broader conversation about redemption, racial equity, and public safety in Maryland. Justice demands more than punishment—it requires systems willing to reexamine the past and correct it. The ACLU of Maryland sees the enactment of the Second Look Act as a step toward a system that recognizes transformation and actively works to undo racial injustice.
