Department of General Services - Maryland Capitol Police - Jurisdiction

HB 1485 expands the jurisdiction of the Maryland Capitol Police by increasing the protected area around state-owned or leased buildings from 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet in all directions. This directly affects Capitol Police officers, who gain authority to enforce laws across this larger perimeter, and local law enforcement agencies, which must be notified when Capitol Police exercise statewide powers outside their typical jurisdiction. The bill amends Sections 4-601 and 4-605 of Maryland’s State Finance and Procurement code to reflect this change while maintaining existing notification requirements for local police chiefs or sheriffs. It does not create new enforcement powers but adjusts the geographic scope of existing authority. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.