This bill changes Maryland's rules for using wiretapped or electronically intercepted communications as evidence in criminal trials. It allows such evidence in court if the crime involved a victim, the evidence is material to the case, the interception wasn't conducted by Maryland law enforcement, it's more probative than other available evidence, and admitting it serves justice. Prosecutors must also provide the defense with at least 14 days' notice before using this evidence. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 360 modifies Maryland's criminal law to specifically protect emergency response animals used by law enforcement. It prohibits intentionally harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing these animals - such as police dogs, law enforcement horses, or search/rescue dogs - while they are performing official duties. Violations are classified as misdemeanors with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, depending on the severity. The law directly affects individuals who target these animals during operations and law enforcement agencies that rely on them. It does not change general animal cruelty laws but adds targeted protections for animals serving in emergency response roles.
SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 686, "Zoey's Law," increases penalties for drivers who flee police and cause death during the chase. It reclassifies causing death while attempting to elude police as a felony, raising the maximum penalty to 5 years for a first offense and 10 years for repeat offenses, with fines up to $5,000. The bill directly affects drivers who evade law enforcement and result in a fatality, replacing prior misdemeanor penalties. This change applies to all drivers who fail to stop for police signals (e.g., lights, sirens) and cause death, regardless of whether the driver was fleeing for a "crime of violence."
HB 83, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, modifies Maryland's domestic violence protective order process to strengthen firearm safety measures. The bill requires petitioners seeking protective orders to provide specific details about a respondent's firearms - including make, model, location, and whether stored in a vehicle - if the petition alleges abuse involving firearms. Judges must then order the respondent to surrender all firearms and firearm licenses in cases where abuse involved firearm use, threats with a firearm, or serious bodily harm (with or without firearm threat). This directly affects domestic violence victims and respondents in protective order cases, creating clearer mechanisms for law enforcement to enforce firearm surrender during temporary protective orders under Sections 4-504(e) and 4-505(a)(viii) of Maryland's Family Law.
This bill expands Maryland's juvenile sex offender registry to include specific offenses like child pornography violations, sexual acts against minors, and certain sexual offenses that would be crimes if committed by adults. It requires juveniles (at least 14 years old at the time of the offense) found guilty in court for these offenses to be registered in a separate juvenile registry, distinct from the adult registry. The bill also allows school superintendents or their designees to access the registry for safety purposes, in addition to law enforcement. Juveniles on the registry must update their information and provide a digital photo every three months until they turn 18 or lose juvenile court jurisdiction, whichever occurs later. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.
HB 332 (the "No Kings Act") creates a new civil rights lawsuit option in Maryland for individuals deprived of constitutional rights by officials acting "under color of law." It allows victims to sue state or local officials (including law enforcement or judicial officers) for damages, injunctions, or declaratory relief when their rights under the U.S. Constitution, Maryland Declaration of Rights, or Maryland Constitution are violated. Key provisions include a 3-year statute of limitations for filing claims, special rules limiting injunctive relief against judicial officers, and protections for officials claiming qualified immunity. The law applies to all pending cases as of its effective date (October 1, 2026).
HB 155 requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to adopt policies prohibiting officers from wearing face coverings (like opaque masks or helmets) during routine duties, with specific exceptions. The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must create a model policy emphasizing transparency and excluding religious items, medical masks, or safety gear (such as helmets for motorcycle operations). Officers violating this rule face potential fines or loss of civil immunity, but exceptions cover religious garments, medical protection, and occupational safety needs. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 27 adds a 7-day waiting period for most firearm sales, rentals, or transfers in Maryland, requiring a 7-day delay after an application is submitted. It directly exempts law enforcement officers (current or retired in good standing) and individuals with a valid permit to carry a handgun under Maryland law from this waiting period. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that these specific groups can complete transactions immediately without the standard delay. This applies to all regulated firearm transactions governed by Maryland's Public Safety laws, without changing the general waiting period for other buyers.
