This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.
HB 634 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific instruction on interacting with individuals with dementia or autism. It directly affects all entrance-level and in-service police training curricula across state, county, and municipal departments. Key provisions mandate training in six areas: locating wandering individuals, searching near water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The law amends Maryland's Public Safety Code to add these requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It focuses on practical, life-saving protocols rather than broader policy changes.
This Maryland bill requires law enforcement agencies to issue protective body armor to officers before assigning them to any duties other than administrative work. The armor must meet current National Institute of Justice ballistic standards and have not passed its manufacturer-suggested replacement date. Agencies must replace expired armor within 31 days and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will withhold grant funds from agencies that do not comply with these replacement and reporting requirements. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 516 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to provide officers with bullet-resistant vests meeting current national safety standards (NIJ 0101.03) before assigning them to field duties - not just administrative work. Agencies must replace vests before the manufacturer’s expiration date and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so by the 31st day after expiration. The Commission then alerts the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, which can withhold grant funds from agencies that repeatedly miss replacement deadlines or fail to report. This law directly affects all local law enforcement agencies and their officers who perform active duties, with concrete changes to safety protocols and funding access.
HB 1008, the "Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act," allows banks and credit unions to delay or block payments from accounts of seniors (65+) or vulnerable adults (those who lack capacity to meet daily needs) if they reasonably suspect financial exploitation. The bill requires financial institutions to notify authorized account holders (unless they suspect that person of exploitation) and report the delay to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement within four business days. It also mandates that institutions provide status updates to authorities upon request, creating a formal process to address potential abuse while protecting vulnerable account holders.
HB 1030 expands Maryland's existing threat laws to specifically protect judges and judge-elects. The bill amends Section 3-708 of the Criminal Law to explicitly include "a judge or judge-elect" in the list of protected individuals (alongside state/local officials and prosecutors). It also adds a new subsection (VII) to Section 14-107 of the Criminal Procedure law, authorizing the State Prosecutor to investigate threats against judges or judge-elects. This change ensures judges receive the same legal protections against threats as other designated officials under current law. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 531 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting verbal acknowledgments from victims of sexually assaultive behavior that would limit investigations, prevent prosecutions, or restrict the victim's legal rights. The bill requires agencies to document any victim request to limit or pause an investigation and follow recommended practices for follow-up. Victims who believe the law was violated can seek court orders to address the issue. This law directly affects sexual assault victims interacting with police and mandates new policies for all Maryland law enforcement agencies by January 2021. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 634 authorizes Maryland's State Prosecutor to investigate threats against judges or judge-elects. The bill amends the State Prosecutor's authority under Criminal Procedure Section 14-107 to explicitly include investigations of threats violating Criminal Law Section 3-708 when directed at judges or judge-elects. This expands existing protections for officials covered under the law, which previously included state/local officials, prosecutors, and public defenders but not judges. The key change is adding judges to the list of protected individuals whose threats trigger the State Prosecutor's investigative role, without altering penalty levels for making threats. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 540 prohibits private home detention monitoring agencies, their agents, and courthouse or correctional facility employees from soliciting business or promoting services on courthouse or correctional facility grounds. Specifically, it bans approaching individuals to use their services, distributing promotional materials, or otherwise soliciting business in these locations. The law applies directly to agencies providing home detention monitoring services and staff working at courthouses or correctional facilities. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors with fines up to $5,000 and potential license suspensions for licensed individuals.
SB 544 establishes minimum security staffing requirements for all Maryland courthouses. It requires courthouse security providers to have specific numbers of qualified officers present during proceedings: one officer per courtroom for most cases (starting July 2027), two officers for cases involving incarcerated individuals or potential custody changes, and one additional officer for every four or fewer courtrooms per floor. Security officers must meet the qualifications for a special police officer under Maryland law. The standards phase in over time, with full implementation by July 1, 2029, and take effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects all Maryland courthouses and the security entities responsible for staffing them.
