Public Safety - Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program

This bill establishes the Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program to help fund security operations in areas with high concentrations of bars, hookah lounges, or live entertainment venues. The program is designed to assist community organizations, nonprofits, and local governments in places where police call volumes for reported crimes are higher than average during times of heavy pedestrian traffic. An application process will be created by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, which will set specific criteria for eligibility based on business density, foot traffic, and crime statistics. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the state may annually appropriate up to $1 million to a special fund dedicated solely to these grants and administrative costs.