SB 745 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)

SB 745 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific modules on interacting with individuals with autism and dementia. It mandates that entrance-level and in-service training cover six key areas: locating missing persons (including wanderers), water safety searches, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The bill directly affects all Maryland police departments and training schools by adding these requirements to their curricula. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code (Section 3-207(a)(16)(v)).

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026) → Third - Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand the scope of required police training to include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in addition to those with dementia and autism. This change broadens the training mandate to cover a wider range of vulnerable populations, ensuring officers are better equipped to handle interactions with people who have diverse cognitive and developmental needs. The amendment also updated the bill's title and sponsor list to reflect the new legislative history and added committee approval details.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from training regarding individuals with dementia and autism to include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the required training curriculum to explicitly include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside dementia and autism.

SCOPE

Revised the bill title and introductory text to reflect the expanded scope of the LEAD Act to cover three distinct groups rather than two.

TECHNICAL

Added procedural details such as committee report status, adoption date, and a list of additional co-sponsors to the bill header.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic36

34 Yea 2

94% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 659

executive

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 18, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (119-0-23)

house of delegates

Mar 13, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)

senate

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors