The General Assembly finished its 90-day session early today having considered several crime bills, including toughening laws on sex offenders and strengthening sentences in gang cases.
Perhaps the most emotional moment on Monday came when Jennifer Foxwell, the mother of 11-year-old Sarah Foxwell (left in photo), who police say was abducted and killed by a registered sex offender in December on the Eastern Shore, marched hand in hand up the steps of the State House with Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, the girl's aunt and an advocate. The photo was taken by the Baltimore Sun's Karl Merton Ferron.
Here is a look at what happened to some of the crime bills:
Death penalty: Lawmakers passed rules last year that greatly restricted capital cases, but some thought the limits went too far and wanted to broaden the application of the death penalty. Legislators could not reach agreement, however, on allowing fingerprints or still photographs to qualify as evidence in capital cases.
Domestic violence: Temporary protective orders that do not become final can be wiped from the state's public court case database with a judge's approval but the information remains available to law enforcement.
Gangs: Over the objections of some Baltimore lawmakers, the Senate joined the House in approving legislation that gives prosecutors more tools in going after gangs by carving out a new crime for gang leaders and extending sentences for gang members convicted of certain crimes. Both chambers also approved a measure aimed at increasing communication between schools and the police about gang activity.
Sex offenders: Violent and repeat sex offenders receive fewer good-behavior credits in prison and are subject to lifetime supervision upon release. The state's publicly available sex offender registry is to include more information and minimum prison sentences for some child molesters have been tripled to 15 years.