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HB 478

Hagerstown Community College Police Force - Jurisdiction

2025 Regular Session

Maryland grants Hagerstown Community College Police expanded jurisdiction to enforce state law beyond campus, enabling pursuit of suspects and enhanced emergency response authority off college grounds.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 427
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Bill Summary · HB 478

Legislative bill overview

HB 478 expands the jurisdiction of the Hagerstown Community College Police Force to enforce state law beyond campus property, allowing officers to pursue and apprehend suspects who flee college grounds. The bill grants these campus police broader law enforcement authority, placing them on more equal footing with municipal and county police departments in the region.

Why is this important

Campus safety incidents don't always occur entirely on school property—suspects may flee across neighboring streets or properties during active situations. Granting expanded jurisdiction allows college police to respond more effectively to crimes and emergencies without requiring delays for handoff to local law enforcement, potentially improving public safety response times in the Hagerstown area.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Critics may worry that expanding campus police jurisdiction sets a precedent for further authority expansion beyond legitimate safety needs and increases militarization of college policing
  • Accountability and oversight: Broader jurisdiction raises questions about whether existing civilian oversight and training standards for college police adequately address law enforcement activities beyond campus boundaries
  • Jurisdictional overlap: Potential friction could arise between campus police, Hagerstown police, and county law enforcement regarding authority, coordination, and resource duplication in enforcement activities

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

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