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Bill

HB 533

Peace Orders and Protective Orders – Military Protection Orders

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Charlotte Crutchfield

Maryland law now permits military commanding officers to issue protective orders against service members for harassment or threats, creating military-specific enforcement mechanisms outside civilian courts.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 530
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Bill Summary · HB 533

Legislative bill overview

HB 533 expands Maryland's protective order system to include "military protection orders" that can be issued by military commanding officers to protect service members from harassment, stalking, or threats from other military personnel. The bill creates a new category of protective order distinct from civilian peace orders and allows military courts to enforce these orders within the military justice system.

Why is this important

Military personnel historically had limited access to civilian protective order remedies due to military jurisdiction and deployment considerations. This legislation addresses safety gaps for service members experiencing interpersonal violence or harassment from fellow military personnel by providing a streamlined, military-specific protective order mechanism that can be enforced more quickly and comprehensively within the chain of command.

Potential points of contention

  • Military command vs. judicial independence: Allowing commanding officers to issue protective orders raises questions about whether military chain-of-command authority should replace independent judicial review typically required in civilian protective orders
  • Due process concerns: The bill's procedures for issuing and contesting military protective orders may provide fewer procedural safeguards than civilian courts, potentially disadvantaging respondents' rights to be heard
  • Scope and enforcement clarity: Questions remain about how these orders interact with civilian protective orders, how they're enforced across military branches, and what happens when service members are transferred or separated

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

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