This bill prohibits Maryland government entities and contractors from entering into agreements to detain individuals in facilities owned, managed, or operated by private companies. It also bars state and local governments from paying for, subsidizing, or providing financial incentives related to the construction, operation, or management of privately run detention facilities. The law defines detention facilities broadly to include correctional, immigration, and other facilities used to detain people, while still allowing private companies to provide ancillary services like education, medical care, and maintenance. Additionally, the bill prevents government agencies from approving zoning variances or permits for buildings intended for private detention use, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
SB 791 (the Community Trust Act) prohibits employees of Maryland state and local correctional facilities from asking about or detaining individuals based on immigration status, notifying federal immigration authorities without a court order, or transferring people to federal authorities without a judicial warrant. It allows limited exceptions only for routine booking procedures or when immigration status affects legal protections under state/federal law or international treaties. The bill requires correctional facilities to adopt compliance policies with penalties for violations and gives affected individuals the right to sue for damages if their rights are breached. This directly affects correctional staff and facilities, not the general public.
SB 984 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from approving private companies to operate immigration detention facilities in buildings unless the facility's use is explicitly permitted by local zoning laws. It defines an immigration detention facility as any building housing individuals in involuntary custody, including those with perimeter security, locked areas, or controlled access points. Private operators violating this law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and the Attorney General can enforce the law through court action. The bill also applies retroactively to existing agreements for facilities intended for immigration detention, regardless of prior permits or construction investments.
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.
SB 985 requires Maryland's Secretary of Public Safety to establish minimum mandatory standards for immigration detention facilities, directly affecting people held for immigration violations (civil detainees) and the facilities housing them. The bill mandates standards covering security, safety, food, housing, sanitation, and individual rights, while creating new reporting obligations for health care workers and security guards who must report violations to the Commission on Correctional Standards. It grants the Commission expanded authority to inspect facilities, enforce compliance, shut down life-threatening facilities, and require disciplinary action against non-reporting staff. The law also updates reporting requirements for facility operators and authorizes the Attorney General to sue private facility operators for violations.
HB 832, the "ICE Breaker Act," prohibits Maryland state law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who were hired as sworn officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. It applies specifically to agencies defined in the bill, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and others listed in Section 3-535 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The law only affects new hires after its effective date (October 1, 2026), with no retroactive application to current employees hired before that date. The bill creates a clear hiring restriction for these state agencies regarding individuals with recent ICE employment.
HB 1018 establishes minimum mandatory standards for the care, custody, and conditions of individuals held in Maryland's immigration detention facilities. It directly affects immigration detainees, facility operators (including private entities), and healthcare/security staff who must report violations. Key provisions require the Secretary of Public Safety to adopt regulations covering safety, housing, food, and rights; mandate facility inspections and annual certifications; and authorize the Commission to shut down facilities deemed life-threatening or health-endangering. The bill also obligates staff to report violations with disciplinary consequences for non-compliance and allows the Attorney General to sue private facility operators for violations.
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 1575, the Community Trust Act, prohibits state and local correctional facilities and their employees from detaining individuals or sharing information with federal immigration authorities based on immigration status, except when required by a judicial warrant or for routine booking. It bans asking about citizenship, prolonging detention for immigration reasons, transferring individuals to immigration authorities without a warrant, or coercing people based on immigration status. Exceptions include when immigration status relates to legal protections under state/federal law or international treaties, allowing facilities to notify individuals or offer voluntary disclosure. Correctional facilities must adopt policies with penalties for violations, and affected individuals can seek damages or injunctions if harmed by a breach.
