MarylandPolice training will cover searches for people with disabilities and dementia
Starting October 1, 2026, police training must cover how to search for missing people in these groups, document searches, and coordinate with other agencies.
What it does
Starting October 1, 2026, police training must cover finding and assisting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or autism. Topics include searches near water, sensory-aware approaches, and reunions.
Argument forOfficers may be better prepared to find missing people and coordinate searches and reunions with other agencies.
Argument againstAdding these required topics could leave police schools less time for other training if they do not add course time.
More detail
The Commission must require police training on responding to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or autism. The requirement covers entrance-level police training and, as the Commission determines, in-service training at State, county, and municipal police training schools. The Commission determines whether in-service training is required. Training must follow established law enforcement standards and federal and State constitutional provisions. The Act takes effect October 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 659Became Law
- Apr 6Returned Passed
- Apr 3Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 2Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 2Favorable Report by JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 18
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 13Referred JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 12Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 10Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 10Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 9Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Feb 27
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6First Reading Judicial ProceedingsIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety