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SB 273

Enact the Keep Them Safe Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kyle Koehler

MD adds military protection orders (MPOs) to civilian peace/protective orders; judges may consider MPOs when issuing temp orders, and LEOs must flag MPO violations in NCIC.

Effective 9/17/26
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Bill Summary · SB 273

Summary — SB 273: Peace Orders and Protective Orders — Military Protection Orders (Chapter 531, 2025)

Status: Enacted (Approved by the Governor — Chapter 531; May 13, 2025)
Primary subject: Courts and Judicial Proceedings; Family Law (Maryland)
Companion: HB 533

Main purpose

SB 273 adds “military protection orders” (MPOs) into Maryland’s peace-order and protective-order framework so civilian judges and law‑enforcement officers can take MPOs into account when evaluating and enforcing temporary peace/protective orders. The change aims to improve coordination between civilian and military authorities and to ensure that existing military orders are considered in related civilian proceedings.

Key provisions

  • Defines “military protection order” (MPO) as a protection order issued under 10 U.S.C. § 1567 by a commanding officer against a person under that officer’s command in:
    • any branch of the U.S. uniformed services; the Maryland National Guard; or the National Guard of another state.
  • Authorizes judges, when deciding whether reasonable grounds exist to issue a temporary peace order or temporary protective order, to consider whether an MPO has been issued against the same respondent for the same or similar conduct toward the same petitioner (or petitioner’s employee).
  • Requires a law‑enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe an individual is violating a civilian peace/protective order and that the individual is a service member with an MPO entered in the FBI’s NCIC database, to notify the law‑enforcement agency that entered the MPO into NCIC that a possible violation has occurred.
  • Amends defined sections of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article (3–1501, 3–1504(a)(1), 3–1508) and Family Law Article (4–501, 4–505(a)(1), 4–509).

Who is affected

  • Petitioners and respondents in peace‑order and protective‑order proceedings.
  • Service members subject to MPOs and their commanders.
  • Judges and court staff (who may consider MPOs in issuance decisions).
  • Local and state law‑enforcement agencies (notification and coordination duties).
  • Agencies entering MPOs into NCIC (potential for additional follow‑up communications).

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Department of Legislative Services estimates a one‑time Judiciary general‑fund programming cost of about $99,900 in FY 2026 for system updates; no ongoing revenue impact. Local government fiscal effects are not expected to be material.
  • Operationally, the law encourages greater civilian–military information sharing; implementation may require procedural training and IT/record‑query adjustments.

Notes

  • The statute does not change criminal penalties for violations of peace or protective orders; existing arrest/penalty provisions remain.
  • Enacted as Chapter 531 of the 2025 Maryland laws.

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

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