SB 533 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Public Safety - Police Accountability - Time Limit for Filing Administrative Charges

SB 533 establishes a one-year-and-one-day deadline for Maryland law enforcement agencies to file administrative charges related to police misconduct complaints, starting from when the agency becomes aware of the incident. This applies to most cases, including those not requiring an administrative committee review, and ensures timely action on complaints from the public. For incidents tied to ongoing criminal investigations, the deadline extends until the criminal case concludes or the prosecutor declines charges. The bill aims to prevent indefinite delays in holding officers accountable while aligning administrative processes with criminal proceedings.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Safety - Police Accountability - Time Limit for Filing Administrative Charges → Enrolled - Public Safety - Police Accountability - Time Limit for Filing Administrative Charges · 5 edits · May 13, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was transitioned from a draft Senate version to an enrolled version ready for the Governor's signature, incorporating specific amendments to police accountability timelines. The most significant policy change extends the deadline for completing internal investigations from 365 days to 395 days, while also clarifying the start date for the clock to be when officials become aware of the incident rather than when a complaint is filed. Additionally, the bill now requires agencies to have a written policy determining when they become aware of an incident and updates the criminal investigation trigger to include the final disposition of charges.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on Maryland law enforcement agencies and their internal review processes, but the applicability of the timeline rules has been broadened and clarified.

TIMELINE

Extended the maximum time allowed to complete the internal investigation and review process from 365 days to 395 days.

Changed the start date for the investigation clock from the date a complaint is filed to the date the agency official becomes aware of the incident.

Updated the deadline for filing charges in criminal-related cases to include the final disposition of all related criminal charges as a trigger date.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that law enforcement agencies must establish a written policy to determine when they become aware of an incident.

TECHNICAL

Added formal enrolled bill formatting, including spaces for the Governor's approval and signatures of legislative leaders.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 23, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 493

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Adopted

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Substitute Committee Amendment {

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until 04/03 (Delegate Clippinger) Adopted

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 24, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-0-4)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Feb 27, 2025

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until 2/19 (Senator M. Jackson) Adopted

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator M. Jackson) Adopted

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors