Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)
Sponsor: Charles E. Sydnor, III (District 44)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Criminal Law - ProceduresStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 517 (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Providing that the creative expression of a criminal defendant or juvenile respondent is not admissible against the defendant or respondent unless the court makes certain findings, subject to a certain exception; and providing that the Act does not preclude the admission of a creative expression in juvenile cases for the purposes of evaluating, recommending, or ordering referral to mental health services or diversion programs.
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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (17)
MGA witness listFAV 8FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 8Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Spaccasi, Olivia | ACLU-MD | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Walotsky, Phil | Free Our Art | Oral |
| FAV | Agarin, Ufuoma | Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Kemerer, Hannibal | Maryland Office of the Public Defender | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Wheaton, David | NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund | Oral |
| FAV | Dupler, Todd | Recording Academy | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Sydnor III, Charles | State Senator | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Senator Sydnor, Senator Sydnorlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| UNF | Leitess, Anne Colt | Anne Arundel State's Attorney | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Carpenter, Lindsey | Frederick County State's Attorney's Office | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | King, Joyce | Frederick County State's Attorney's Office | Position only |
| UNF | Gibson, Rich | Howard County State's Attorney's Office | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Vormelker, Will | Maryland Judiciary | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Brown, Kirsten | Maryland State's Attorneys' Association | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Rosa, Richard | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Bates, Ivan | State's Attorney for Baltimore City | Written (PDF) |