SB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.
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.
HB 1536, the Maryland Enforcement Limits and Transparency (MELT) Act, prohibits state and local government entities, including sheriffs and contractors, from voluntarily aiding immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant or legal requirement. It requires these entities to document all interactions with immigration authorities, maintain records for five years, and notify individuals whose information was shared. Victims harmed by violations can sue for damages, while the Attorney General can investigate, publish findings, and refer cases to licensing authorities. The law also allows state procurement agencies to terminate contracts with violators and licensing bodies to sanction licensees who breach the act.
HB 1341 prohibits public school security personnel - including school resource officers, security employees, and certain law enforcement officers - from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee records for immigration purposes. The bill requires security staff to immediately contact school officials if presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order for immigration-related information. It amends Maryland's Education Code to clarify that school security cannot be used for immigration investigations under federal §287(G) and must comply with state privacy laws. This directly affects school security staff and protects students, employees, and their families from immigration enforcement activities within public schools.
HB 23 allows minors aged 15 and older in Maryland to apply for state-issued identification cards without requiring a parent or guardian to cosign or be present. It directs the Motor Vehicle Administration to establish new acceptable proof-of-residency documents, including school transcripts, homeless shelter records, or notarized affidavits from adults. The bill does not change federal REAL ID requirements but permits non-REAL ID compliant cards for minors unable to meet federal documentation standards. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 495 provides legal immunity from immigration arrests for individuals attending court hearings as parties, witnesses, or as family/household members of such individuals. It prohibits immigration arrests during travel to, at, or from court unless authorized by a judicial warrant. Violations of this provision are punishable as misdemeanors (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) or felonies (up to 4 years in jail or $5,000 fine), and affected individuals can seek legal remedies including injunctions and attorney fees. The law directly affects people participating in court proceedings and their close relatives living in the same household, aiming to prevent immigration enforcement from disrupting court access.
Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.
