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SB 729

Relating to mental health services for individuals with disabilities; and prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Andersen and 7 co-sponsors

Would allow Maryland counties to appoint special police officers to protect county employees and public officials, granting limited police powers during assigned protection duties.

Effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
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Bill Summary · SB 729

SB 729 — Special Police Officers — County Government — Protection of Employees and Public Officials

Status: Withdrawn by sponsor (withdrawn 2025-03-10)
Introduced: January 27, 2025
Jurisdiction: Maryland
Primary sponsor: (listed) Decointe
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
Proposed effective date (if enacted): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill would have amended Maryland’s Public Safety Article to allow counties to apply for commissions of special police officers specifically for the purpose of protecting county employees and public officials while they are present in the county. It clarifies and expands the circumstances in which county-employed special police officers may exercise the powers of a police officer.

Key provisions

  • Amends two sections of the Public Safety Article (3‑303 and 3‑307):
    • 3‑303: Adds a specific authorization allowing a county to apply for appointment of special police officers “in order to protect the county’s employees and public officials while present in the county.”
    • 3‑307: Adds a new paragraph authorizing a special police officer employed by a county for protection of employees/public officials to “exercise the powers of a police officer in connection with and necessary for protecting the employees and officials whom the special police officer is assigned to protect.”
  • Retains existing language that special police officers:
    • Protect and preserve peace and order on the property described in their commission application.
    • May arrest individuals trespassing or committing offenses on described property and exercise police powers on that property.
    • May direct traffic in immediate vicinity of described property with Secretary approval.
    • Are subject to training requirements for initial commissions (an approved 80‑hour course unless exemptions apply).
  • Effective date provision: Act to take effect October 1, 2025 (if enacted).

Who would be affected

  • Counties seeking to appoint special police officers for protective assignments.
  • County-employed special police officers (expanded authority while performing assigned protection duties).
  • County employees and public officials who could receive protection from commissioned special police officers.
  • Local law enforcement and jurisdictions that may need to coordinate jurisdictional responsibilities and response roles.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced January 27, 2025; referred to Judicial Proceedings committee and set for hearings.
  • Multiple committee actions and scheduling occurred in February–April 2025.
  • Sponsor withdrew the bill on March 10, 2025; therefore it did not proceed to final passage.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Practical effect would be to permit counties to commission special police officers with limited off‑property authority tied to protection assignments, potentially improving immediate protective coverage for officials and employees.
  • Raises operational considerations about training, oversight, jurisdictional coordination with municipal and state police, and liability/authority limits when special officers act beyond property described in their original commission.

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

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