Maryland Military Department - Supervision of State Active Duty Personnel

SB 128 clarifies command structure for Maryland National Guard and Defense Force personnel during State active duty deployments. It specifies that these members operate under the Adjutant General's direct command during emergencies like disasters, riots, or when enforcing laws, and retain full peace officer authority statewide while on duty. The bill requires coordination with local law enforcement but allows commanding officers to direct police during urgent situations, subject to the Governor's orders. This update to existing law (Article 13-702) ensures clear operational control without expanding the Governor's deployment authority. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.