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.