Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2026

HB 1541: Workgroup to Study Extreme Risk Protective Orders (Sagar Ghimire Act)

HB 1541 establishes a 6-member workgroup to study Maryland's use of extreme risk protective orders (ERPOs), which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The workgroup includes the Secretary of Health (as chair), Attorney General, Public Defender, police and sheriffs' association leaders, and a mental health services representative. It will study current ERPO practices and develop policy recommendations by May 1, 2027, reporting to the Governor and legislature. The workgroup will expire automatically on June 30, 2028, with no further legislative action required. This bill does not change ERPO laws but creates a process to evaluate and improve them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates workgroup to study and improve ERPOs, a criminal justice reform tool preventing gun violence through court-ordered firearm removals, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 745: 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)).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on autism/dementia interactions to improve crisis response, reduce harm, and enhance accountability - aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like civil rights protection and law enforcement best practices.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 692: Firearms Dealers and Employees - Required Training and Exam

SB 692 requires all licensed firearms dealers, their applicants, and employees to complete mandatory training and pass a written exam by January 1, 2027. The training covers state/federal firearm laws, preventing theft, safe storage, recognizing straw purchases, trafficking, and other illegal activities. Dealers must maintain proof of completion for all employees at their business location, and failure to comply carries a $1,000 civil penalty. The Secretary of State Police must approve at least one online training course and administer the exam by October 1, 2026, with a 70% passing requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training for firearms dealers to prevent illegal activities like trafficking and straw purchases, aligning with criminal justice prevention efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 746: Police Discipline - Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies - Suspension Pending Appeal of Trial Board Decision

SB 746 allows municipal police chiefs in Maryland to suspend officers without pay while they appeal disciplinary decisions made by a trial board. It directly affects municipal police officers facing disciplinary actions who choose to appeal their case. The bill requires that if an officer wins their appeal, they must receive full back pay for the suspension period. This change modifies existing law to address the financial impact on officers during the appeal process.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows suspension without pay during disciplinary appeals, potentially discouraging officers from challenging decisions and weakening accountability oversight in police discipline.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 1031: Law Enforcement - Use of Force - National Guard Members

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates de-escalation, intervention in excessive force, and detailed documentation for National Guard use of force, directly enhancing police accountability within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 520: Property Tax - Charter Counties - Application of County Tax Limitation on Public Safety Budget

SB 520 allows charter counties in Maryland to set property tax rates above their charter limits - via simple majority vote - to fund public safety budgets (like police and fire services). It requires that any excess tax revenue collected beyond the charter limit must be allocated solely to public safety, not other county programs. The bill applies only to charter counties (e.g., Baltimore County) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and legislature on tax rates and revenue usage. This changes existing tax rules by creating a specific exemption for public safety funding while maintaining other budget constraints.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables increased property tax revenue allocation specifically for public safety budgets, advancing funding for essential services under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds public safety (police/fire) via property tax increases with dedicated allocation, advancing law enforcement resources under criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Policing Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1415: Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Identification

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible officer ID for accountability and transparency, directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals like enhancing police oversight and public trust.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 516: Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to provide mandated body armor, enhancing officer safety and operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 1053: Criminal Law - Second Degree Assault - Sports Official

HB 1053 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally cause physical injury to a sports official (such as an umpire, referee, or judge) during a sporting event when the attacker knows the person's role. The bill amends Maryland’s assault law to specifically include these officials under second-degree assault protections, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. It also expands warrantless arrest authority for police to immediately detain individuals who commit this specific assault, as it now qualifies under the list of crimes allowing such arrests. This directly affects athletes, coaches, or spectators who assault officials at sports events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens legal protections for sports officials via specific assault penalties, advancing accountability within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Judges Policing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1359: Police Pursuits of Fleeing Suspects - Standards (Dimeka Thornton Act)

HB 1359, the "Dimeka Thornton Act," requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to annually submit their current policies on police pursuits of fleeing suspects to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission by January 1, starting in 2027. The Commission must then annually report detailed data on pursuits - including reasons, outcomes, injuries, and termination reasons - to the Governor and General Assembly by June 1, starting in 2027. By January 1, 2028, the Commission must develop a model policy prioritizing officer and bystander safety, which all agencies must adopt by July 1, 2028, or exceed. This bill directly affects every law enforcement agency in Maryland, establishing standardized reporting and policy requirements for police pursuits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data collection on police pursuits to enhance accountability and transparency, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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