Maryland Lawmakers Pass Police Reform
Reforms Allow For Greater Civilian Review, End To Officer’s Bill Of Rights, Body Cameras And Greater Accountability And Transparency
Maryland lawmakers banded together and voted to pass new police reform bills April 10 that will repeal the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights, allow greater civilian review, and allow greater public access to police records and other measures of transparency and accountability.
The police reform measures have been created to increase accountability, restore public trust and confidence in law enforcement.
The Democratic-controlled General Assembly worked on police reform legislation for months and vowed to pass the legislation into law with or without the governor’s support.
The measure was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan.
The General Assembly overrode the vetoes on:
SB 71 - Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 - Body-Worn Cameras - Employee Programs, and Use of Force
SB 178 - Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 - Search Warrants and Inspection of Records Relating to Police Misconduct
HB 670 - Police Reform and Accountability Act of 2021
SB 494 - Juveniles Convicted as Adults - Sentencing - Limitations and Reduction (Juvenile Restoration Act)
Some of the policies covered under the bills include restricting no-knock warrants, mandating body cameras, prohibiting police officers from preventing civilians from recording them, and banning life prison sentences for juveniles without possibility of parole.
Additionally, the bill package includes provisions to increase the civil liability limit on lawsuits involving police from $400,000 to $890,000. An officer convicted of causing serious injury or death through excessive force would face 10 years in prison.
Maryland is credited with being the first state in the nation to repeal the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights.
