HB 1131 (Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act) prohibits law enforcement and agencies from investigating, prosecuting, or imposing civil liability on individuals who experienced pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, or self-managed abortion), except when independent evidence of unrelated criminal conduct exists or the individual consents. It protects healthcare providers from liability for supporting patients during or after pregnancy loss and restricts disclosure of medical records related to pregnancy loss without evidence of abuse, unrelated criminal conduct, or patient consent. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations and establishes misdemeanor penalties for knowingly violating its provisions. These changes apply to all Maryland residents and healthcare providers within the state’s health system.
HB 1031 establishes specific use-of-force standards for National Guard members operating in Maryland under federal authority (per 32 U.S.C. § 502). It requires National Guard members to use only necessary and proportional force to prevent imminent harm or achieve legitimate law enforcement objectives, while mandating de-escalation, intervention in excessive force incidents, medical aid for injured persons, and detailed documentation of all force encounters. Violating these standards and causing serious injury or death constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The law applies directly to National Guard personnel supporting state operations under federal orders, not to regular police officers.
HB 1036 requires Maryland’s Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division to investigate deaths or serious injuries occurring during interactions with federal law enforcement or immigration officers. The bill mandates that the Division submit investigation findings to the Governor and legislature within a specified timeframe. If the Attorney General determines sufficient evidence exists, they must prosecute federal officers for potential crimes. This law directly affects Maryland’s state investigations office, federal officers, and individuals involved in such incidents. It creates a concrete state-level process for reviewing federal enforcement actions that result in death or serious harm.
HB 1415 requires all Maryland law enforcement officers to visibly wear identification (including agency, last name, and badge number) on their outermost clothing during duty, with specific standards for size, placement, and visibility. It mandates that the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission develop a model policy covering these requirements, including how identification must be displayed on uniforms, outerwear, and plainclothes, plus training for officers. Law enforcement agencies must adopt policies matching this model, and officers violating the rule face misdemeanor penalties (up to 2 years in jail or $2,000 fine) and loss of civil immunity. The law excludes active undercover officers and takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1008, the "Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act," allows banks and credit unions to delay or block payments from accounts of seniors (65+) or vulnerable adults (those who lack capacity to meet daily needs) if they reasonably suspect financial exploitation. The bill requires financial institutions to notify authorized account holders (unless they suspect that person of exploitation) and report the delay to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement within four business days. It also mandates that institutions provide status updates to authorities upon request, creating a formal process to address potential abuse while protecting vulnerable account holders.
HB 1262 restricts federal law enforcement officers' powers in Maryland, requiring them to act in accordance with state law when conducting arrests or executing warrants. It prohibits racial profiling by all law enforcement officers and bans agencies from retaliating against officers who report such profiling. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies develop written policies addressing racial profiling by a specified deadline and creates civil lawsuits for violations. These changes directly affect federal officers operating in Maryland, state/local agencies, and individuals interacting with law enforcement.
SB 516 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to provide officers with bullet-resistant vests meeting current national safety standards (NIJ 0101.03) before assigning them to field duties - not just administrative work. Agencies must replace vests before the manufacturer’s expiration date and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so by the 31st day after expiration. The Commission then alerts the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, which can withhold grant funds from agencies that repeatedly miss replacement deadlines or fail to report. This law directly affects all local law enforcement agencies and their officers who perform active duties, with concrete changes to safety protocols and funding access.
SB 988 prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals for civil offenses (such as traffic tickets or unpaid fines) within judicial facilities (like courthouses) or within one mile of them while traveling to attend a court proceeding. Police must notify the judge beforehand and avoid disrupting court activities to stop someone for a civil matter in these areas. Evidence obtained from violating this law is inadmissible in court, and affected individuals can sue for damages or seek court orders. The Attorney General may also file lawsuits to stop ongoing violations of the law.
SB 678 modifies the affidavit requirements law enforcement must submit to obtain court authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It requires a sworn affidavit stating: the perpetrator's identity is unknown; the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or a serious public safety threat; standard DNA testing from the forensic sample (collected at a crime scene, from a person/item related to the crime, or unidentified remains) already failed to identify a suspect; and reasonable investigative leads were pursued (unless an ongoing threat exists). The bill defines FGGS as analyzing crime scene DNA to create a profile, searching public genealogy databases, and using public records to identify suspects. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts in Maryland, streamlining the authorization process for FGGS in specific serious unsolved cases.
HB 890 requires child welfare and law enforcement agencies to conduct on-site interviews during abuse/neglect investigations with a child’s parent or legal guardian instead of the child’s caretaker. It mandates that agencies provide parents or guardians with oral and written notice at the first contact, explaining key rights - including the right to refuse entry without a court order, the right to consult an attorney before speaking or signing documents, and the right to decline interviews or tests. The bill directly affects parents/guardians of children under investigation and agencies conducting these investigations, ensuring they receive clear information about their legal protections during the process. The notice covers specific rights like not being forced to allow entry, speak without legal advice, or sign documents, while clarifying that statements may be used in court.
