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Bill

HB 445

Criminal Law - Interference With a Public Safety Answering Point - Penalties

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Hill

Maryland criminalizes intentional interference with 911 call centers and emergency dispatch operations, establishing penalties to protect public safety infrastructure from disruption.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 161
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Bill Summary · HB 445

Legislative bill overview

HB 445 establishes criminal penalties for interfering with public safety answering points (PSAPs) — the 911 call centers that dispatch emergency services. The bill criminalizes intentional disruption, obstruction, or interference with PSAP operations and creates enhanced penalties for such violations.

Why is this important

Interference with 911 systems directly endangers public safety by preventing legitimate emergency calls from reaching dispatchers, potentially delaying critical emergency response. This law provides law enforcement with specific criminal tools to prosecute individuals who disrupt these essential services, ranging from prank callers to bad-faith interference.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: The precise definition of "interference" could be broadly interpreted, potentially capturing non-malicious disruptions or technical issues alongside intentional sabotage
  • Penalty proportionality: Concerns about whether criminal penalties are appropriately calibrated for different types of interference (accidental misuse vs. deliberate disruption)
  • Mental health considerations: Questions about whether individuals experiencing mental health crises who misuse 911 should face full criminal penalties versus diversion to treatment programs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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