Bill > HB122

This bill modifies Maryland's police accountability laws to expand the scope of who can file misconduct complaints against police officers. Currently, only members of the public can file complaints, but the bill now allows police officers themselves to file complaints with county police accountability boards. The boards will continue to have quarterly meetings with law enforcement agencies, appoint civilian members to charging committees and trial boards, and review disciplinary outcomes. Each county's police accountability board must be established by the local governing body, with members selected to reflect the county's racial, gender, and cultural diversity, and no active police officers can serve on the board. The bill maintains existing requirements that complaints must include the officer's name, a description of the alleged misconduct, and contact information, and that the complaint process must be completed within one year and one day of filing. The new provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, potentially creating more transparency and opportunities for internal accountability within law enforcement agencies by enabling police officers to report misconduct by their colleagues.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0122?ys=2025RS