HB 762 permits Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology on images captured by cameras mounted on the exterior of a dwelling (like a home) to investigate nine specific property crimes, including first- and second-degree burglary, arson, and trespassing. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and homeowners or tenants who have such exterior cameras. The bill modifies existing law to allow this exception only when the image was recorded by the dwelling’s owner or tenant, and restricts its use to the listed property crimes - excluding most other criminal investigations. The law does not change how facial recognition may be used for other types of evidence or in non-dwelling settings.
SB 536 repeals the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies in Maryland to notify law enforcement about certain violations of home detention conditions. Currently, agencies must notify law enforcement within 24 hours for most violations, 1 hour for equipment tampering, or immediately for entering prohibited areas. The bill removes this law enforcement notification obligation while keeping the requirement to notify the court. This change directly affects private monitoring agencies and the designated law enforcement agencies in Baltimore City or the relevant county, effective October 1, 2026.
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.
HB 776, the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act, requires Maryland intake officers to automatically file a petition declaring a child under 13 a "child in need of supervision" if the child is alleged to have caused a death through a criminal act (e.g., homicide or manslaughter). This applies specifically to cases where the child's actions would be a felony if committed by an adult. The bill removes the intake officer's discretion to handle such cases informally or dismiss them, mandating formal juvenile court processing. Law enforcement must also forward these complaints directly to the Department of Juvenile Services.
HB 847 makes it a misdemeanor to possess or claim rights to residential property you don’t legally own with intent to defraud. Violations carry escalating penalties: up to 90 days in jail or $500 for a first offense, increasing to 1 year/jail or $2,500 for repeat offenses within two years. Property owners can file a sworn affidavit with the sheriff to request law enforcement remove alleged fraudsters, but officers must halt removal if the person presents evidence of lawful possession. The law explicitly states it doesn’t prevent owners from filing standard wrongful detainer lawsuits under existing property law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 202 creates a new legal process for Maryland police officers who believe they were denied a right during disciplinary proceedings. It allows officers to request a court order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right (such as the right to present evidence or appeal) should not be granted, before a disciplinary hearing occurs. Officers must apply to the circuit court in their county (for local agencies) or Anne Arundel County (for statewide agencies), and the bill takes effect October 1, 2026. This is a procedural change affecting how officers challenge disciplinary actions, not the substance of discipline itself.
