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SB 591

National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals With Disabilities - Maryland Chapter - Establishment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Brooks

Maryland establishes a public safety alliance chapter to improve emergency service interactions and safety for people with disabilities through coordination and protocol development.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 591

Legislative bill overview

SB 591 establishes a Maryland chapter of the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals With Disabilities, creating a formal organizational structure to address public safety concerns specific to people with disabilities. The bill designates this alliance as a collaborative body focused on improving interactions between individuals with disabilities and law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety systems.

Why is this important

People with disabilities face disproportionate risks during police encounters and emergency situations, including higher rates of use-of-force incidents and communication barriers. Creating a dedicated alliance provides a structured mechanism to develop training, protocols, and accountability measures that can reduce harm and improve outcomes for this vulnerable population during critical interactions.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill's effectiveness depends on whether it includes binding authority to implement recommendations or is merely advisory, which remains unclear from the description
  • Funding and resources: Establishing and operating this alliance requires dedicated state resources, which may face budget scrutiny or competition with other programs
  • Scope of authority: Questions about whether the alliance can mandate changes to law enforcement training and procedures versus making non-binding recommendations to agencies

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

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