Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 105: Real Time for Violent Crime Act (Geri's Law)

SB 105, known as the Real Time for Violent Crime Act or Geri's Law, proposes establishing a system to notify the public in real time when violent crimes occur in their communities. The bill directly affects residents and law enforcement agencies by creating a notification framework that would alert individuals about nearby violent incidents as they happen. Key provisions include setting up a centralized database for crime reporting and mandating that local authorities share this information with the public through various communication channels. The legislation aims to increase community awareness and safety by providing timely information about violent criminal activity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances public safety through real-time crime notifications, strengthening community protection and law enforcement coordination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 904: Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates protective body armor for law enforcement officers, enhancing officer safety and operational effectiveness within the criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1320: Criminal Procedure - Victim Notification - Request at the Time of Charging

HB 1320 requires law enforcement officers and district court commissioners to inform victims or their representatives (such as family members of minors, deceased, or disabled victims) at the time of charging about their right to request notifications regarding a defendant’s custody status and court hearings. The bill mandates that requests be processed through Maryland’s electronic court system (MDEC), ensuring victims receive timely updates without needing to proactively seek them later. It amends existing law to make this notification process automatic upon initial contact in criminal cases, replacing previous procedures that allowed for later requests. This change directly affects victims and their representatives in all criminal cases filed in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim notification at charging, enhancing victim rights and transparency in criminal proceedings per Maryland's court system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 661: Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Intercepted Communications - Admissibility of Evidence

SB 661 modifies Maryland law to clarify when intercepted communications (like phone calls or texts) can be used as evidence in criminal court. It allows such evidence if: (1) at least one party was outside Maryland during the communication, (2) the interception wasn’t done by Maryland law enforcement, and (3) all parties were co-conspirators in a violent crime. For other cases, it sets strict conditions for admissibility, including requiring prosecutors to notify defendants 14 days in advance and proving the evidence is more relevant than alternatives. The bill directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and law enforcement handling wiretap evidence in Maryland courts. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 14-day notice for intercepted evidence, protecting defendant rights in criminal proceedings per bill's admissibility conditions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts admissibility of intercepted communications without strict conditions, strengthening data privacy protections by limiting surveillance evidence use without proper notice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 716: Courts and Judicial Proceedings - Charging Documents - Law Enforcement Officers

SB 716 amends Maryland law to expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include special police officers for the Maryland Judiciary. It requires the State's Attorney to investigate and recommend to a court before a statement of charges can be filed against law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel, or child welfare workers for crimes committed while performing their duties. The bill mandates that such applications must be immediately forwarded to the State's Attorney, who must then investigate and provide a recommendation to the District Court Commissioner before charges proceed. This change applies to cases filed on or after October 1, 2026, and does not affect the State's Attorney's authority to file formal charges or convene a grand jury.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates State's Attorney investigation/recommendation before charging law enforcement officers for on-duty crimes, enhancing accountability and procedural safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1392: Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Quotas (Community-Oriented Policing Act)

HB 1392, the Community-Oriented Policing Act, prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from setting or requiring officers to meet arrest or citation targets (quotas) and bans using such targets for evaluations, pay, discipline, or promotions. The bill allows agencies to use quantitative data for legitimate management or compliance checks but explicitly forbids quotas as a performance metric. Officers can report suspected quota violations to the Attorney General’s Office via an online form, which must investigate within one year and order agencies to stop if violations are confirmed. This law directly affects all Maryland law enforcement agencies and their officers, aiming to prevent pressure to meet arbitrary arrest numbers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans arrest/citation quotas for law enforcement, explicitly enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like reducing aggressive policing tactics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 762: Law Enforcement – Use of Facial Recognition Technology – Images Captured by Camera Affixed to Dwelling Exterior

HB 762 permits Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology on images captured by cameras mounted on the exterior of a dwelling (like a home) to investigate nine specific property crimes, including first- and second-degree burglary, arson, and trespassing. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and homeowners or tenants who have such exterior cameras. The bill modifies existing law to allow this exception only when the image was recorded by the dwelling’s owner or tenant, and restricts its use to the listed property crimes - excluding most other criminal investigations. The law does not change how facial recognition may be used for other types of evidence or in non-dwelling settings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePermits expanded police surveillance via facial recognition on home cameras for property crimes, increasing investigative powers without privacy safeguards or oversight.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill permits law enforcement use of facial recognition on home camera images for property crimes without privacy safeguards, enabling a privacy-invasive technology and weakening data privacy protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Emerging Technology

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 1266: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements

HB 1266 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits (physical evidence gathered from victims' bodies/clothing after an assault) to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt. It clarifies that kits must include all requested reference standards within this timeframe and specifies exceptions where submission isn’t required (e.g., if evidence disproves the assault, the victim declines consent, or the suspect’s DNA is already in CODIS). The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases and ensures timely forensic analysis for victims. It amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure law (Section 11-926) and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires timely forensic processing of sexual assault evidence kits to improve case resolution and victim justice, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of accountability and victim protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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died · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 591: National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals With Disabilities - Maryland Chapter - Establishment

SB 591 establishes the Maryland Chapter of the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities within the Department of State Police. It creates a secure, voluntary online system allowing individuals with disabilities to share personal information (like contact details, physical descriptions, and disability-related needs) with law enforcement for emergency response. The bill requires the Department of State Police and Department of Disabilities to develop mandatory training and guidelines for law enforcement agencies, and it creates a commission to study protocols and public engagement strategies. This directly affects individuals with disabilities who choose to participate and all local law enforcement agencies required to implement the new protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates disability-specific emergency response system for law enforcement, requiring mandatory training to improve interactions and safety during crises, aligning with police accountability and civil rights protections.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a secure online system for disability-related emergency data sharing, prioritizing data privacy and security measures per its 'secure, voluntary' system description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 660: Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Response to Immigration Enforcement Actions

SB 660 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to respond to reports of federal immigration enforcement actions within their jurisdiction. Officers must observe the activity, record it with body cameras when possible, and file detailed reports including location, agencies involved, force used, medical needs, and any violations. These reports and recordings must be made public under Maryland's Public Information Act and stored for 4 months (footage) or 4 years (reports). The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies, mandating transparency during federal immigration operations while preserving constitutional officer duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency and accountability in law enforcement responses to federal immigration actions, requiring documented reporting and public access per criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates public documentation of federal immigration enforcement actions, increasing transparency and accountability, aligning with immigrant protection measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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