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HB 249

Residential Real Property - Local Limits on Summoning Law Enforcement or Emergency Services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Palakovich Carr

Maryland law now bars local governments from restricting residents' ability to call law enforcement or emergency services to their homes, centralizing emergency access authority at the state level.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 476
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Bill Summary · HB 249

Legislative bill overview

HB 249 prohibits local governments in Maryland from enacting ordinances that restrict or limit residents' ability to summon law enforcement or emergency services to their residential properties. The bill became law in May 2025 after gubernatorial approval, effectively preempting any local regulations that would impede emergency service access.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses the practical reality that some jurisdictions have considered or implemented policies limiting police responses to certain calls or neighborhoods. By establishing a state-level prohibition, the bill ensures that residents maintain unfettered access to emergency services regardless of local ordinances, which could affect public safety outcomes and emergency response equity.

Potential points of contention

  • Police reform tensions: Advocates for police accountability measures or community-based alternatives to enforcement may view this as constraining local experimentation with public safety models that reduce police involvement
  • Local autonomy concerns: Cities and counties that sought granular control over emergency service deployment for resource or policy reasons lose regulatory flexibility
  • Undefined scope: The bill's language around what constitutes an impermissible "limit" on summoning services could create litigation over borderline local regulations (e.g., response protocols, non-police crisis teams for specific call types)

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

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