SB 202 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause

SB 202 creates a new legal process for Maryland police officers who believe they were denied a right during disciplinary proceedings. It allows officers to request a court order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right (such as the right to present evidence or appeal) should not be granted, before a disciplinary hearing occurs. Officers must apply to the circuit court in their county (for local agencies) or Anne Arundel County (for statewide agencies), and the bill takes effect October 1, 2026. This is a procedural change affecting how officers challenge disciplinary actions, not the substance of discipline itself.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Oct 28, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause → Third - Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill has advanced to its third reading with a favorable committee report, indicating it is ready for final passage. The text includes minor formatting adjustments to the header and a structural reorganization of the statute, moving from a single section to a multi-subsection format for better clarity.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header was updated to reflect its current status: it now includes a 'Favorable with amendments' committee report, 'Adopted' Senate action, and a second reading date of March 7, 2026.

The statutory text was restructured. The original single section (3-113.1) was split and renumbered. New substantive sections (3-110) were added to define specific protections against retaliation (such as whistleblowing and political activity) before the procedural rules for applying to court were restated.

The document was updated to include signature lines for the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates, signaling preparation for final enactment.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

29–15

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 8, 2026

D Democratic36

17 Yea 15 Nay 4

47% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator Augustine) Adopted

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 8, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (29-15-5)

senate

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

Oct 28, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors