Courts and Judicial Proceedings - Statement of Charges - Human Service Workers

HB 302 expands Maryland's legal process for filing criminal charges against certain professionals by adding "Adult Protective Services Workers" and "Child Welfare Case Workers" to the list requiring State's Attorney review before charges can be filed. The bill mandates that for offenses allegedly committed while performing job duties, the State’s Attorney must investigate and recommend to a District Court Commissioner whether a "statement of charges" should proceed. This applies specifically to workers in public adult protection programs and child welfare roles, creating a mandatory review step before criminal charges are filed against them. The change modifies existing law to ensure these human service workers receive the same procedural safeguards as law enforcement officers and educators under Maryland Code § 2-608.