Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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

HB 1262: Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Restrictions

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans racial profiling, mandates accountability policies, and enables civil lawsuits for law enforcement violations, directly enhancing police accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

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 · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 988: Judicial Facilities - Stops, Detentions, and Arrests - Limitations

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police from arresting for civil offenses in court areas, protecting civil rights and promoting accountability in judicial settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 743: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

HB 743 removes the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement when defendants violate standard home detention conditions (like missing check-ins or curfew). The bill directly affects these monitoring agencies and local law enforcement agencies, as it repeals the existing law mandating such notifications for most violations. Key provisions now only require agencies to notify courts and law enforcement within 1 hour for equipment tampering or immediately for entering prohibited areas. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating routine notifications while maintaining urgent response protocols for specific safety risks. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals requirement for monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement of most home detention violations, weakening oversight and accountability in criminal justice monitoring.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 678: Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Affidavit for Judicial Authorization

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches, adding oversight to protect civil rights during investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 890: Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations ("Know Before They Knock" Family Right to Notice Act)

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects parental rights during law enforcement investigations, ensuring due process and civil rights in child abuse cases, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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died · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 717: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements

SB 717 requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt, including all requested reference standards. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases in Maryland. The bill modifies existing law to clarify the 30-day deadline and specifies that kits must include all required reference standards for analysis. It does not change exceptions for non-submission (e.g., when evidence disproves assault or the victim declines consent), which remain unchanged under section (e). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely submission of sexual assault evidence kits to prevent backlog and ensure victim justice, advancing procedural efficiency in criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 650: Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations ("Know Before They Knock" Family Right to Notice Act)

SB 650, the "Know Before They Knock" Family Right to Notice Act, requires Maryland child protective services and law enforcement to provide parents or legal guardians with specific written and oral notice during initial contact in child abuse or neglect investigations. The notice details key rights, including the right to refuse entry into their home without a court order, the right to consult an attorney before speaking, and the right not to sign documents or allow interviews without legal counsel. This bill directly affects parents or guardians of children involved in investigations, changing the process by mandating this notice at the first point of contact. The law amends Maryland’s Family Law (Section 5-706) to ensure families understand their legal protections during investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects parental rights during CPS investigations, enhancing civil liberties in law enforcement interactions per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 835: Criminal Procedure - No-Knock Search Warrants

HB 835 repeals Maryland’s authority to issue no-knock search warrants and establishes new procedures for all search warrants. It requires law enforcement to provide written justification for any warrant request, including evidence supporting the need for no notice, details on why less invasive methods weren’t used, and specific information about occupants (including disabilities or pets). Warrants must now be executed between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless exigent circumstances exist, and officers must have completed specialized breach-entry training. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies when obtaining warrants and impacts residents whose properties may be searched. The changes aim to increase transparency and safety during warrant executions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals no-knock warrants, mandates written justification, and restricts execution times to enhance police accountability and protect civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 752: Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards

HB 752 modifies Maryland law to clarify how gift card theft and fraud are treated. It defines "closed-loop" (store-specific) and "open-loop" (network-branded) gift cards and sets a new standard for determining their value in theft cases: the highest of the face value, the defendant’s claimed value, or the actual loss incurred. The bill also prohibits altering or tampering with gift cards or packaging with intent to defraud, creating a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $500 fine. This directly affects individuals committing gift card theft or forgery and law enforcement prosecuting such offenses. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization without reform elements; increases prosecution scope for minor offenses85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement