Bill > HB198

This bill establishes a new Crime Solvers Reward Fund designed to provide financial incentives for individuals who offer qualifying information that helps solve murders or attempted murders involving firearms. The fund will be administered by a state department and can receive money from state budget appropriations, federal programs, private contributions, and interest earnings. Law enforcement agencies and county reward programs can apply for grants from the fund to issue rewards to individuals who provide credible information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a crime perpetrator, with specific eligibility criteria requiring that the informant did not participate in the crime and cooperated with law enforcement. The fund is designated as a special, non-lapsing account, and the state treasurer will invest its money like other state funds. The department administering the fund must report annually to the General Assembly about the number of rewards issued and the total money distributed. The bill requires the department to develop regulations explaining how agencies can apply for funding and how funds will be distributed, and it will take effect on October 1, 2025. The bill also ensures that interest earnings from the Crime Solvers Reward Fund will not be transferred to the General Fund, allowing the fund to retain all its generated income.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0198?ys=2025RS