Origins of the Judiciary Committee trace first to the Committee on Aggrievances, which began in 1692, and then to the Committee on Aggrievances and Courts of Justice which was functioning by 1722 in the Lower House of the General Assembly. By 1751, the Committee was styled the Committee on Grievances and Courts of Justice. Under that name, the Committee continued until 1852. Some of the Committee's legislative concerns had been assumed in 1828 by the Crimes and Punishments Committee, a standing committee established that year. Responsibilities of both these committees were assigned to the new Judiciary Committee in 1852, when the House of Delegates established the Standing Committee on Judiciary. At its first legislative session following ratification of the Constitution of 1851, the House formed the Committee to consider laws relating to a court system, newly altered by Maryland's second constitution.
Today, the Committee still considers legislation relating to judicial administration and court structure. It also is concerned with administrative law; corrections; criminal and civil laws, penalties, immunities, and procedures; drunk and drugged driving and certain motor vehicle offenses; estates and trusts; family law; juvenile justice; and the legal profession. Twenty-two delegates serve on this committee.
The Judiciary Committee organized into four subcommittees in 1995: Civil Law and Procedure; Criminal Justice; Family and Juvenile Law; and Gaming [Gambling] Law and Regulation. The latter, in 1999, was renamed Gaming Law and Enforcement.
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