SB 1 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Face Coverings and Identification

This bill requires Maryland law enforcement officers to remove face coverings during official duties, with limited exceptions for religious garb, inclement weather, or safety equipment (like gas masks). It mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create a model policy, which all agencies must adopt. Officers violating the rule face civil penalties (up to $2,000) but not criminal charges. The law specifically excludes undercover operations and does not apply to face coverings used for health protection or religious reasons. It directly affects all state and local law enforcement officers performing public safety duties.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Sep 15, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Prohibition on Face Coverings Enrolled - Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Face Coverings and Identification · 4 edits · May 26, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, changing its title to include 'Identification' alongside the prohibition on face coverings. This addition requires law enforcement officers to wear visible identification during duty, aiming to prevent impersonation and increase transparency. The bill also added new sections to the state code to define 'Identification' and mandate the creation of a uniform policy for its use.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating face coverings to also regulating the mandatory display of identification by law enforcement officers.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for law enforcement officers to wear identification while on duty to prevent impersonation and promote transparency.

Added a new mandate for the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to develop a uniform policy regarding the use of identification.

DEFINITION

Added new code sections to define 'Identification' and establish specific standards for its size, placement, and legibility.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the bill's title and purpose statement to reflect the dual focus on face coverings and identification.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

3313
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 3, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 1 Nay 2
91% Yea
R Republican13
12 Nay 1
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 612
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Limit Debate (Senator King) Adopted
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 31, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (101-37-4)
house of delegates
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred Judiciary
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
Sep 15, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
18 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors