Criminal Justice (Policing)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 531: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexually Assaultive Behavior - Request for Verbal Acknowledgement (Verbal Waiver Transparency Act)

SB 531 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting verbal acknowledgments from victims of sexually assaultive behavior that would limit investigations, prevent prosecutions, or restrict the victim's legal rights. The bill requires agencies to document any victim request to limit or pause an investigation and follow recommended practices for follow-up. Victims who believe the law was violated can seek court orders to address the issue. This law directly affects sexual assault victims interacting with police and mandates new policies for all Maryland law enforcement agencies by January 2021. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits law enforcement from seeking verbal waivers that limit investigations/prosecutions of sexual assault, requiring documentation and court remedies for violations. Protects victims' civil rights and enhances law enforcement accountabil...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 31: Police Discipline - Order to Show Cause

HB 31 allows police officers in Maryland who are denied a right under disciplinary rules to seek court intervention before a formal hearing. Specifically, officers can apply to a circuit court for an order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right should not be granted. The bill specifies that countywide/local agency officers must file in their county’s circuit court, while statewide/bicounty agency officers file in Anne Arundel County circuit court. This process applies to disciplinary proceedings under Maryland’s Public Safety subtitle and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill enables officers to challenge disciplinary actions via court, potentially weakening oversight and accountability mechanisms in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 349: Vehicle Laws - Eluding Police - Penalties

SB 349 increases penalties for drivers who elude police officers and cause a death, reclassifying this as a felony. First-time offenders face up to 5 years in prison or a $5,000 fine, while repeat offenders face up to 10 years. The bill maintains existing misdemeanor penalties for eluding that causes bodily injury or no injury. It applies to drivers who fail to stop after a police officer signals to stop, whether the officer is in uniform or in a marked police vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for eluding police causing death, reclassifying as felony with harsher sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases felony penalties for eluding police causing death, enhancing road safety standards by strengthening enforcement against dangerous driving practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 351: Civil Actions - Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act)

HB 351 allows Maryland's Attorney General or State's Attorney to direct the Maryland State Police to collect and securely retain specific digital data (like license plates, cell tower records, GPS, or facial recognition data) about federal agents when a complaint alleges misconduct such as excessive force or civil rights violations. It directly affects complainants who file such misconduct claims and law enforcement agencies handling those cases. The bill requires that complainants can only access this digital data through a court order in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights case or a related criminal proceeding. It does not authorize general surveillance but creates a targeted process for gathering evidence in verified misconduct complaints against federal agents. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by enabling data collection for misconduct investigations against federal agents, aligning with civil rights protection and reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Policing Tags Civil Liberties

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 491: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexually Assaultive Behavior - Request for Verbal Acknowledgement

HB 491 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting verbal acknowledgments from victims of sexually assaultive behavior that could limit investigations, prevent prosecutions, or restrict victims' legal rights. It specifically bans forms or requests that: relieve the agency of obligations to the victim, define investigation scope, block prosecutions, or limit private legal actions. The bill requires agencies to thoroughly document any victim request to limit or suspend an investigation and follow up per Maryland Police Commission guidelines. Agencies must adopt and submit compliance policies to the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Committee by January 15, 2021, with the law taking effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents law enforcement from restricting investigations/prosecutions of sexual assault victims, protecting civil rights and strengthening victim protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Victims' Rights

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 285: Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers

SB 285 expands Maryland's existing scholarship program to include correctional officers. The bill amends state law to add "correctional officers" to the eligibility criteria for the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program, which previously covered only police officers and probation agents. It defines "correctional officer" per Maryland law and allows current or future correctional officers to apply for tuition assistance if they meet residency, enrollment, and service obligation requirements. The scholarship requires recipients to work in the field for at least five years within eight years of graduation or repay funds. This change directly affects correctional officers seeking higher education in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands tuition assistance for correctional officers, directly supporting corrections workforce development within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education scholarships to correctional officers, increasing funding access for a new group under existing program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Higher Education Student Financial Aid

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 172: Municipalities - Enforcement Officers - Body-Worn Cameras

HB 172 allows Maryland municipalities to authorize code, parking, and traffic enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras during their duties. It expands the legal definition of "law enforcement officer" to include these municipal officers for camera use, requiring cities to adopt policies that align with state standards for body-worn camera use. The bill mandates that municipalities publishing such policies must follow guidelines similar to those for police body cameras, including notifying individuals when recording is occurring. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not require municipalities to implement the policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands body-worn camera use for municipal enforcement officers to enhance accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of transparency and oversight in law enforcement.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates policies for body camera use with state standards, requiring data handling protocols that protect privacy, aligning with data privacy protections under the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 398: Public Safety - Persistent Aerial Surveillance

HB 398 prohibits Maryland state and local law enforcement agencies from using persistent aerial surveillance (like drones recording continuous video of people's movements) in criminal investigations, except under seven specific exceptions. These exceptions include having a valid search warrant, executing arrest warrants, conducting active search/rescue operations, locating escaped prisoners, preventing imminent harm, or responding to specific terrorism threats with federal approval. The law directly affects police departments and state agencies that previously used such surveillance methods. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and defines "persistent aerial surveillance" as recording video/images showing a person's actions over time.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts warrantless aerial surveillance, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in criminal investigations, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts persistent aerial surveillance by law enforcement, protecting data privacy through limits on continuous tracking technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 513: Hate Crimes and Hate Bias - Definitions of Sexual Orientation and Hate Bias Incident

HB 513 updates Maryland's legal definitions related to hate crimes and hate bias incidents. It redefines "sexual orientation" to focus on an individual's identity or others' perception of that identity regarding attraction, explicitly stating it does not include gender identity. The bill also defines "hate bias incident" to include non-criminal acts like slurs, offensive symbols, or online threats targeting protected classes (including sexual orientation, gender, disability, and others). It requires law enforcement agencies to report such incidents to the Department of State Police, which must collect, analyze, and quarterly report this data to the Commission on Civil Rights. These changes directly affect law enforcement reporting requirements and the scope of protections under hate crime laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands civil rights protections in hate crime definitions by including non-criminal bias incidents and broadening covered classes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 330: Public Safety - Police Accountability - Investigation Records Relating to Not Administratively Charged, Unfounded, and Exonerated Complaints

SB 330 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to remove certain investigation records from police officers' personnel files three years after specific findings: when an administrative committee decides not to charge an officer, or a trial board finds misconduct allegations "unfounded" or "exonerated." It directly affects police officers whose misconduct complaints were resolved without administrative action. The bill amends Maryland's Public Safety laws to mandate this removal, replacing prior rules that prohibited expungement or destruction of such records. Key provisions specify the exact timeline (3 years post-determination) and define terms like "unfounded" (allegations unsupported by fact) and "exonerated" (officer acted lawfully). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves unfounded/exonerated complaint records from officer files, enhancing accountability by preventing long-term stigma from unsubstantiated claims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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