Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1123: Criminal Law - Minor's Access to Firearms - Penalty

HB 1123 amends Maryland's criminal code to impose misdemeanor penalties for adults who store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where they knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. The law directly affects adult firearm owners responsible for storage safety, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exemptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement use during duty, or minors with valid hunter safety certificates. The bill explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases involving firearm-related injuries or property damage. This bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties to prevent minors' firearm access, promoting public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing responsible storage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 854: Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Restrictions

SB 854 restricts federal law enforcement officers in Maryland to exercising powers only when acting in accordance with state law, requiring coordination with local agencies during joint operations or emergencies. It prohibits all law enforcement officers from engaging in racial profiling - defined as relying on race, ethnicity, or national origin in enforcement actions - while allowing such reliance only when describing a specific suspect in an active investigation. The bill mandates law enforcement agencies to develop and implement written racial profiling policies by a specified date and prohibits retaliation against officers who report such profiling. Violations allow for civil lawsuits and provide legal protections for whistleblowers reporting racial profiling incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits racial profiling by law enforcement, enhancing accountability and civil rights protections in criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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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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

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 129: Domestic Violence - Warrantless Arrests and Victims

This bill expands domestic violence protections by allowing police to make warrantless arrests if they have strong evidence that someone battered a person they dated within the past year. It updates the legal definition of "victim of domestic violence" to include individuals injured by someone they had a sexual relationship with in the last year, not just spouses or cohabitants. Key provisions require police to have probable cause, evidence of injury, and a report filed within 48 hours to make such arrests. The law directly affects victims in dating relationships and law enforcement practices in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protections to include recent dating/sexual relationships, requires probable cause for arrests, updates victim definition - strengthens victim protections and police accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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signed · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 245: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement, reducing potential civil rights violations and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, directly limiting such agreements per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 626: Custodial Interrogation of Minors - Admissibility of Statements (Exonerated 5 Act)

This bill creates a rule that a minor's statement during a custodial interrogation is presumed involuntary and inadmissible in court if law enforcement intentionally used false information to obtain it. It directly affects minors facing juvenile or criminal charges, as their statements could be excluded from proceedings under this presumption. The presumption can be overcome only with clear and convincing evidence proving the statement was voluntary despite the false information. The law applies to all custodial interrogations of minors in Maryland, modifying admissibility standards under Maryland's judicial code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves minors' rights by barring coerced statements obtained via deception, aligning with due process and civil rights protections in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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died · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 210: Correctional Services - Home Detention - Monitoring and Security

SB 210 transfers responsibility for monitoring and security of Maryland's home detention programs from Correctional Services to the Warrant Apprehension Unit within the Department of Public Safety. It directly affects individuals participating in home detention programs, requiring their supervision to be conducted by this law enforcement unit using electronic monitoring and direct contact. Key provisions authorize unit employees to execute search warrants, make arrests for program violations, and exercise peace officer powers under specific training and qualification standards. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, restructuring oversight without creating new eligibility criteria or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeTransfers home detention supervision to law enforcement unit with arrest powers, increasing punitive enforcement over rehabilitation and reducing rehabilitative focus in correctional supervision.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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